Israeli forces have continued their assault across the Gaza Strip.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, at least 634 people have been killed, including at least 183 children, 94 women, 34 elderly people, and 125 men since Israel shattered the two-month-old ceasefire with Hamas on March 18. At least 1,172 others have been injured, many critically, with more still trapped under the rubble.
Israeli attacks targeted various areas across the Gaza Strip, from north to south, including Jabalia, Beit Hanoon, Gaza City, Nuseirat, Deir el-Balah, Khan Younis and Rafah. Areas that had been designated as safe humanitarian zones, including the al-Mawasi zones, were also attacked.
Israel killed more than 170 during the ‘ceasefire’
On January 15, Israel and Hamas reached an agreement on a three-phase ceasefire deal to halt more than 460 days of the war that has devastated Gaza.
The deal, which took effect on January 19, included a ceasefire to halt the destruction inflicted on Gaza, the release of captives held in Gaza in exchange for thousands of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, and the possibility for displaced Palestinians to return to their homes.
However, Israel violated the ceasefire numerous times from January 19 to March 17, killing at least 170 people in Gaza, averaging nearly three deaths a day.
During that time, some 2,000 bodies were either recovered or people died from their injuries.
Gaza authorities have documented more than 350 violations by Israel, including military incursions, gunfire, air raids, intensified surveillance and the obstruction of aid.
Humanitarian aid halted
The attacks came on top of a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
On March 2, Israel blocked all humanitarian aid into Gaza after the first phase of the ceasefire expired, cutting off food, medicine and fuel.
This raised global condemnation, with European nations warning the blockade could breach international humanitarian law. Humanitarian conditions worsened as aid trucks were stranded outside Gaza, resulting in a rising risk of hunger and malnutrition.
The latest attacks come during the second half of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
More than 60,000 killed, 112,000 wounded
The Ministry of Health in Gaza reports that at least 49,547 Palestinians have been confirmed dead and 112,719 wounded in Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza. This means one in every 50 people in Gaza has been killed, and one in every 20 has been wounded.
On February 3, the Government Media Office updated the death toll to more than 61,700, noting that thousands of Palestinians missing under the rubble were presumed dead.
During the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, 1,139 people died and more than 200 were taken captive.
