Escalating Death Toll in Ongoing Hamas-Israel Conflict

The death toll in the ongoing Hamas-Israel conflict has reached nearly 5,000, with thousands more injured and displaced as the violence entered its 13th day. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Human Affairs (OCHA), Israel has reported 1,400 deaths, including foreign nationals, and 4,562 injuries. This marks a significant increase in Israeli casualties, exceeding the cumulative number of Israelis killed since record-keeping began in 2005.

Meanwhile, Gaza has endured 3,478 fatalities, including 853 children, and around 12,500 injuries. The recent deadly bombing at Al Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital in Gaza City claimed the lives of at least 471 people, including children, healthcare staff, and Internally Displaced People (IDPs). This situation has resulted in a higher death toll in Gaza during the past 12 days of conflict than the entire 2014 escalation, which lasted for over 50 days and had 2,251 Palestinian casualties.

In the West Bank, 64 people have died since the conflict began on October 7, with 18 children among them. The cumulative number of IDPs in Gaza stands at around one million, with over 513,907 people seeking refuge in UN Relief Works Agency-designated emergency shelters. Since October 11, Gaza has been under a complete electricity blackout due to Israel’s suspension of electricity and fuel supply. The blockade on Gaza continues, with the Rafah, Erez, and Kerem Shalom crossings remaining closed.