The Gaza Health Ministry reported Wednesday that the Palestinian death toll in the 20-month Israeli attacks on the enclave has surpassed 55,000, with women and children accounting for more than half of the casualties.
This grim milestone marks the ongoing conflict that began with Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, incursion on southern Israel.
Israel maintains it targets only Hamas, blaming civilian deaths on the group for embedding its members within densely populated areas.
The ministry says 55,104 people have been killed since the start of the war and 127,394 wounded.
Many more are believed to be buried under rubble or in areas inaccessible to local medics.
