Gaza death toll surges to over 59,500 as Israel continues genocidal war on Palestinians

By Anadolu staff

ISTANBUL (AA) - At least 59,586 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s genocidal war on the Gaza Strip since October 2023, the Health Ministry said on Thursday.

A ministry statement said that 89 bodies were brought to hospitals in the last 24 hours, while 453 people were injured, taking the number of injuries to 14,498 in the Israeli onslaught.

“Many victims are still trapped under the rubble and on the roads as rescuers are unable to reach them,” it added.

The ministry said the death toll surged after 279 dead victims were identified and their names added to the registry.

The ministry also noted that 23 Palestinians were killed and over 68 injured while trying to get humanitarian aid in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of Palestinians killed while seeking aid to 1,083, with over 7,275 others wounded since May 27.

The Israeli army resumed its attacks on the Gaza Strip on March 18 and has since killed 8,447 people and injured 31,457 others, shattering a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement that took hold in January.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.