Palestinian authorities reported that more than 52,000 people have died in Gaza, as Israel intensifies its military operations following the collapse of a ceasefire with Hamas in March.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported Sunday that hospitals across the Gaza Strip received the bodies of 51 Palestinians killed in Israeli air raids over the past day, which brings the total number of Palestinian fatalities in the 18-month-long conflict between Israel and Hamas to 52,243. This includes nearly 700 additional victims whose deaths were recently verified. Search and rescue crews, along with local residents, continue to comb through the wreckage after Israeli forces bombarded areas west of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza on Sunday, April 27.
Israel resumed heavy airstrikes across Gaza after abruptly ending its truce with Hamas (which is recognized as a terrorist organization by both the U.S. and Israel) on March 18. Israeli ground forces have expanded a buffer zone and encircled the southern city of Rafah, now claiming control over roughly half of Gaza’s territory.
In addition to the military campaign, Israel has imposed a near-total blockade on Gaza’s 2 million residents, cutting off supplies of food, medicine, and other essentials for nearly two months. Humanitarian organizations warn that resources are dwindling, leaving thousands of children severely malnourished, with most families merely surviving on limited supplies such as canned vegetables, rice, pasta, and lentils.
Israeli officials have stated that the renewed offensive and tightened blockade are designed to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages taken during the group’s October 7, 2023, assault, which sparked the ongoing war. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to continue the fight until Hamas is dismantled and all hostages are freed.
Hamas, for its part, has insisted that it will only release the 59 remaining captives — 24 of whom are believed to still be alive — in exchange for a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the release of Palestinian prisoners, and a permanent ceasefire. These demands mirror the terms outlined in a now-defunct ceasefire agreement reached earlier this year.
The Gaza Health Ministry claims that women and children represent a majority of the Palestinian fatalities, though it does not differentiate between civilian and militant casualties. It also reports that around 117,600 people have been wounded during the conflict.
Israel claims its forces have eliminated roughly 20,000 Hamas fighters but has not publicly shared evidence to support this figure. Israeli military officials emphasize that they aim to minimize civilian casualties and accuse Hamas of endangering civilians by operating within densely populated urban areas.
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