KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — The death toll in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has surpassed 69,000, according to Gaza health officials. This grim figure reflects a rise in fatalities as more bodies are recovered following the ceasefire that began on October 10.
The latest exchanges of remains between Israel and Hamas have highlighted the tragic toll on both sides. Recently, Israel returned the remains of 15 Palestinians, while Hamas had previously returned those of a hostage, Lior Rudaeff. These exchanges are central to the ceasefire, which seeks to lower tensions after the intense violence that erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas initiated an attack resulting in around 1,200 Israeli deaths.
In an encouraging sign, the ceasefire has allowed for the recovery of bodies from the rubble in Gaza, where conditions have been dire. Ahmed Dheir, who oversees forensic medicine at Nasser Hospital, reported that while 300 remains have been returned to Gaza, only 89 have been identified. The lack of resources for DNA matching has complicated the situation, leading to unidentified remains being buried in collective graves.
Families continue to search desperately for their loved ones. One grieving mother stated, “I have not lost hope. I am still waiting for him,” highlighting the emotional toll of this conflict. The Gaza Health Ministry’s records are seen as generally reliable, although some experts urge caution in interpretations due to the chaos on the ground.
Recent days have also seen an increase in violence outside Gaza. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers have attacked Palestinian farmers and activists during the olive harvest. Reports from the U.N. indicate that October 2023 has been the most violent month for settler attacks since tracking began in 2006, with over 260 incidents. Activists have mobilized to support farmers during this critical harvest season, which has been fraught with danger.
Jonathan Pollak, an activist, witnessed a violent attack while harvesting. He reported that masked settlers chased and assaulted people, leading to injuries among activists and journalists alike. This underscores the ongoing risks faced by individuals trying to navigate these tensions.
Each escalation of violence leads to calls for justice. Rights groups emphasize that prosecutions for settler violence are rare, with less than 4% of such cases resulting in charges, according to data from Israeli police. Many victims feel that the system offers little recourse or protection.
The ongoing conflict and its repercussions illustrate the deep-rooted issues at the heart of the Israel-Palestine struggle. For many, the hope for peace remains distant but unshaken.
For continued updates on the situation, see AP’s Israel-Hamas coverage.
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Israel, 2024-2025 Mideast Wars, Israel-Hamas war, General news, War and unrest, Israel government, Benjamin Netanyahu, Gaza Strip, Hamas, International agreements, MIDEAST WARS, AP Top News, Ahmed Dheir, Lior Rudaeff, Julia Frankel, World news, Religion, Jonathan Pollak, Sally Abou AlJoud
