At least 62,263 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s genocidal war on the Gaza Strip since October 2023, the Health Ministry in the besieged enclave said on Friday.
A statement from the ministry said 71 people were killed and 251 were injured in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of injuries to 157,365.
The ministry also reported two new deaths from starvation and malnutrition, including a child, raising the total famine-related deaths to 273, among them 112 children.
“Many victims remain trapped under rubble or in the streets,” the ministry said, noting that rescue teams are still unable to reach them due to ongoing Israeli bombardment and lack of equipment.
Since March 18, when Israel resumed its military campaign after breaking a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement, the health ministry said 10,717 Palestinians have been killed and 45,324 injured.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces continue to target civilians seeking humanitarian aid. In the past 24 hours, 24 people were killed and 133 more injured in such attacks.
According to the ministry, 2,060 Palestinians have been killed and 15,197 injured while seeking aid since May 27.
Israel’s full blockade of the Gaza Strip, in place since early March, has created catastrophic conditions for the enclave’s 2.4 million residents, leading to famine, widespread disease, and the collapse of essential services.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice over its war on the enclave.