The Death Toll In Gaza Reaches 70,100 People Despite Ceasefire

Illustration of the prayer of the dead victims of the Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip. (Source: WAFA)

JAKARTA - The death toll of Palestinian civilians as a result of Israeli aggression continues to grow, despite a ceasefire agreement in effect since October.

Medical sources confirmed on Sunday that the civilian death toll in the Palestinian enclave had reached 70,103 women and children, since Israel began its aggression to retaliate against the Palestinian militant group's attacks in October 2023, quoted from WAFA November 30.

Meanwhile, local health authorities reported the number of injured victims had reached 170,985, while many of the victims were still buried by the rubble, with rescue teams unable to reach them due to continued danger and limited access.

The Palestinian and Israeli militant groups agreed on the first phase of a ceasefire brokered by Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the United States on October 9 and took effect a day later.

However, since then the number of victims has continued to increase, with 356 people dead, 908 injured, and 607 bodies found during this period, the sources added.

It is known, as part of the ceasefire, Hamas and other Palestinian groups released all 20 surviving hostages. In addition, they must also return the bodies of 28 hostages who are still in Gaza.

To date, 26 of the hostages' bodies have been returned by Hamas. The two bodies of the hostages who were repatriated were Master Sergeant Ran Gvili (Israel) and Sudthisak Rinthalak (Thailand), quoted from The Times of Israel.

The latest number of victims coincides with the commemoration of International Solidarity Day for the Palestinian People by the United Nations, which falls on November 29 every year. "In many ways, this tragedy has tested the norms and laws that have guided the international community for generations," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as reported by The National.

"There have been so many civilians killed, displaced repeatedly against the entire population, and the delay in humanitarian aid should never be accepted under any circumstances," said Secretary General Guterres.