The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said the death toll from the nearly 22-month-old conflict with Israel had surpassed 60,000, AFP reported, BTA reported.
“The death toll from the Israeli aggression has reached 60,034 killed and 145,870 wounded,“ the ministry said in an official statement. The data covers the period since the start of the war, triggered by an unprecedented attack by the Palestinian Islamist movement “Hamas“ against Israel on October 7, 2023.
In the attack then, “Hamas“ fighters killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapped 251 people. According to the Associated Press, about 50 hostages are still being held, with approximately 20 of them believed to be alive. The rest were released under a temporary ceasefire or through other agreements between the two sides.