Gaza death toll rises to 48,239 as Palestinian medics retrieve more bodies
New research estimates the death toll in Gaza from the Israel-Hamas war has been underestimated by some 40 percent. © Eyad Baba, AFP
Palestinian medical teams have recovered 14 additional bodies from beneath the rubble in Gaza, raising the death toll from Israel’s war since October 2023 to 48,239, according to the Health Ministry on Thursday.
A statement from the ministry confirmed that among the recent casualties, three Palestinians were killed by Israeli army fire within the past 24 hours.
The number of those injured has also climbed to 111,676, with two more wounded individuals admitted to hospitals.
Rescue efforts remain severely hampered, with many victims still buried beneath collapsed buildings and scattered across roads. Emergency response teams are struggling to reach them, according to the ministry.
A ceasefire agreement has been in place in Gaza since January 19, temporarily halting Israel’s military offensive, which has devastated the Palestinian enclave. However, the scale of destruction remains overwhelming.
International legal action against Israel is also intensifying. 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.
Additionally, Israel is currently facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for its actions in the enclave.
Despite the ceasefire, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues, with tens of thousands dead, countless more injured, and large portions of the region in ruins.
