Since October 2023, the Gaza Strip has been engulfed in a devastating conflict, with the Palestinian Health Ministry reporting a staggering death toll of at least 67,183 Palestinians as a result of Israel’s military operations. The ministry’s latest statement, released on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, underscores the relentless violence that has characterized this period, describing it as a genocidal war that has left the region in a state of profound humanitarian crisis. Over the past 24 hours alone, hospitals in Gaza received 10 additional bodies, while 61 individuals were reported injured, bringing the cumulative number of injuries to 169,841 since the onset of the conflict.
The Health Ministry’s report paints a grim picture of the challenges faced by rescue operations in the war-torn enclave. “Many victims are still trapped under the rubble and on the roads as rescuers are unable to reach them,” the ministry stated, highlighting the dire circumstances that prevent emergency responders from accessing those in need. The destruction of infrastructure, combined with ongoing hostilities, has severely hampered efforts to provide aid and recover the deceased, leaving countless families in anguish and uncertainty.
The ministry also detailed the perilous conditions faced by Palestinians attempting to access humanitarian aid. In the last 24 hours, 11 individuals were injured by Israeli army fire while seeking assistance, adding to a grim tally of 2,613 Palestinians killed and over 19,164 wounded in similar incidents since May 27, 2024. These figures reflect the extreme risks civilians face as they struggle to secure basic necessities like food, water, and medical supplies in a region where access to aid is both limited and dangerous.
The current phase of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza resumed on March 18, 2025, following the collapse of a fragile ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement that had briefly taken hold in January. Since the resumption of hostilities, the Israeli army’s operations have resulted in 13,588 deaths and 57,800 injuries, according to the Health Ministry. This escalation has further deepened the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and residential areas, has been reduced to rubble, and essential services have been crippled.
The scale of the violence has drawn international condemnation and legal scrutiny. In November 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. The warrants mark a significant step in holding high-level officials accountable for the conduct of the war, though their enforcement remains uncertain given Israel’s non-membership in the ICC and its rejection of the court’s jurisdiction.
Additionally, Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), where allegations of systematic violations of international law have been brought to the forefront. The case, initiated by South Africa and supported by several other nations, accuses Israel of committing genocide through its military actions in Gaza, including the widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure and the high civilian death toll. The ICJ’s proceedings are ongoing, with hearings expected to continue into 2026, as the court examines evidence and testimonies from both sides.
The roots of the current conflict trace back to October 2023, when a surprise attack by Hamas on southern Israel killed approximately 1,200 people and led to the capture of over 200 hostages. Israel’s response, characterized by airstrikes, ground incursions, and a tightened blockade, has been described by human rights organizations as disproportionate and indiscriminate. The blockade has severely restricted the flow of food, fuel, and medical supplies into Gaza, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and pushing the population to the brink of starvation and disease.
The war has displaced nearly the entire population of Gaza, with over 1.9 million people—roughly 90% of the enclave’s residents—forcibly displaced from their homes. Many are now living in overcrowded shelters, tent camps, or makeshift accommodations with limited access to clean water, sanitation, or healthcare. The United Nations has repeatedly warned of the risk of famine and widespread disease outbreaks, particularly among children and the elderly, who are most vulnerable to the effects of malnutrition and lack of medical care.
Hospitals in Gaza, already strained before the war, have been pushed to the breaking point. Many have been damaged or destroyed in airstrikes, while those still operational face critical shortages of medicines, fuel, and trained personnel. The Health Ministry reports that medical staff are often forced to perform surgeries without anesthesia or proper equipment, and patients with treatable conditions are dying due to the lack of resources. The targeting of healthcare facilities has drawn particular condemnation from international organizations, with the World Health Organization calling for an immediate cessation of attacks on hospitals and medical workers.
The international community remains deeply divided on how to address the crisis. While some countries have called for an immediate ceasefire and the resumption of peace talks, others have continued to provide military and diplomatic support to Israel, citing its right to self-defense. Efforts to broker a lasting ceasefire have repeatedly faltered, with both sides accusing each other of violating previous agreements. The January 2025 ceasefire, mediated by Egypt and Qatar, briefly raised hopes for de-escalation, but its collapse in March reignited the violence with renewed intensity.
Humanitarian organizations have struggled to deliver aid to Gaza amid the ongoing hostilities. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the primary agency responsible for assisting Palestinian refugees, has reported that its operations are on the verge of collapse due to funding shortages and restrictions imposed by Israel. Aid convoys have frequently come under fire, and the deaths of humanitarian workers have further complicated efforts to provide relief. The international community has pledged billions of dollars in aid, but bureaucratic delays and security concerns have prevented much of it from reaching those in need.
The war’s toll extends beyond the physical destruction and loss of life. The psychological impact on Gaza’s population, particularly its children, is profound. Mental health experts warn that the trauma of living through constant bombardment, displacement, and loss will have generational consequences. Schools have been closed for nearly two years, depriving children of education and exacerbating the cycle of poverty and despair.
As the conflict drags on, calls for accountability and justice have grown louder. Human rights groups have documented extensive evidence of alleged war crimes, including the use of heavy explosives in densely populated areas and the targeting of civilian infrastructure. These reports have fueled demands for investigations and prosecutions, though the political complexities of the region make such outcomes uncertain.
The situation in Gaza remains fluid, with no clear end to the violence in sight. The international community faces mounting pressure to act decisively to halt the bloodshed and address the root causes of the conflict. For the people of Gaza, the daily struggle for survival continues amid the rubble of their homes and the loss of loved ones. The Health Ministry’s latest figures serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of this war, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives and left an indelible mark on the region.
In conclusion, the war in Gaza, now in its second year, has unleashed unprecedented suffering on the Palestinian population. With over 67,000 dead, nearly 170,000 injured, and millions displaced, the enclave stands as a testament to the devastating consequences of prolonged conflict. The international legal actions against Israeli leaders and the ongoing genocide case at the ICJ reflect the global outcry over the crisis, yet tangible solutions remain elusive. As the world watches, the people of Gaza endure a humanitarian catastrophe of unimaginable scale, with the hope for peace growing ever more distant.
