Gaza death toll tops 66,000 as Israel continues brutal war on Palestinians

By Betul Yilmaz

ISTANBUL (AA) – At least 66,005 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s genocidal war on the Gaza Strip since October 2023, the Health Ministry said on Sunday.

A ministry statement said that 79 bodies, including two retrieved from the rubble, were brought to hospitals in the last 24 hours, while 379 people were injured, taking the number of injuries to 168,162 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.

It also noted that six Palestinians were killed and 66 others injured by Israeli army fire while trying to get humanitarian aid in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of Palestinians killed while seeking aid to 2,566, with over 18,769 others wounded since May 27.

The Israeli army resumed its attacks on the Gaza Strip on March 18 and has since killed 13,173 people and injured 56,121 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.