Gaza death toll nears 40,700 as Israel's relentless attacks continue

By Ikram Kouachi

The death toll in Gaza has risen to nearly 40,700 as Israeli forces killed 89 more Palestinians over the past two days, the Gaza Health Ministry reported on Saturday. The relentless Israeli onslaught, ongoing since Oct. 7, 2023, has also left 94,060 others injured, according to the ministry.

“Israeli forces killed 89 people and injured 205 others in five ‘massacres’ against families in the last 48 hours,” the ministry said.

Many victims remain trapped under rubble, with rescuers unable to reach them due to the continued bombardment, the ministry said.

Despite a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire, Israel has persisted with its military campaign in the Gaza Strip, which began following an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7.

The situation in Gaza has deteriorated rapidly, with the region suffering from severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine due to an ongoing blockade. Much of Gaza now lies in ruins, and the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen.

Israel is currently facing accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which has ordered a halt to military operations in Rafah, a southern city where over one million Palestinians had sought refuge before it was invaded on May 6.