The Gaza Health Ministry announced Thursday that more than 46,000 Palestinians have died in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has stretched into its 15th month with no resolution in sight.
According to the ministry, 46,006 Palestinians have been killed and 109,378 injured since the war began. It stated that over half of the fatalities include women and children, though it did not specify how many were civilians versus fighters.
The Israeli military claims to have killed more than 17,000 Hamas militants, though it has not provided evidence to support these figures. Israel has blamed civilian casualties on Hamas, accusing the group of operating within densely populated residential areas. The war has forced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians into overcrowded tent camps along the coast, where access to food and essential supplies is severely limited.
Origins of the Conflict
The war erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants launched a large-scale attack on southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and abducting around 250 others. As of now, a third of the 100 hostages believed to remain in Gaza are reported to have died.
Mourning Amid the Destruction
In Khan Younis, southern Gaza, grieving families continue to bury loved ones killed in Israeli airstrikes. Fatma Abu Awad, sheltering in a school with other displaced families, mourned six family members lost in separate strikes on a vehicle and a tent. At a nearby cemetery, her daughter Malak scrolled through photos of the deceased children, expressing despair over the lack of progress in ceasefire negotiations.
The Gaza Health Ministry reiterated Thursday that the death toll has surpassed 46,000, with many women and children among the casualties. Hospital morgues continue to fill with victims of ongoing strikes, including infants and young children.
Rising International Tensions
The conflict has drawn regional and international actors into its orbit. On Thursday, two drones launched from Yemen toward Israel were intercepted by Israeli forces. The Yemeni Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have targeted Israel with over 40 missiles and 320 drones since October 2023. Israel and U.S.-led forces have responded with airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.
In Lebanon, parliament voted to elect army commander Joseph Aoun as president, ending a two-year political stalemate. The decision follows a ceasefire agreement that ended a 14-month conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
Calls for Hostage Resolutions
Families of Israeli hostages killed in Gaza are urging the government to prioritize the safe return of captives. “Military pressure is killing them,” said Meirav Svirsky, whose brother was killed in captivity. Amid growing public demand for a ceasefire, President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration has pledged to intensify efforts to secure the release of hostages.
Broader Implications
The war has had profound ripple effects across the region, from displaced populations in Gaza to Lebanon’s reconstruction efforts and Yemen’s escalating conflict. Meanwhile, international attention is turning to upcoming diplomatic events, such as President-elect Trump’s inauguration and the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, amid mounting legal and political controversies involving Israeli leaders.
As the conflict rages on, the toll on human life and regional stability continues to grow, with no clear end in sight.
