Gaza Deaths Continue Despite Truce

A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has failed to halt violence in Gaza, where more than 1,000 people have been killed since its implementation in October, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Gaza health authorities said that a total of 1,005 people have been killed in various incidents since the ceasefire came into effect last October. Despite the agreement intended to reduce hostilities, intermittent strikes and military activity have persisted across the enclave, leaving the humanitarian situation largely unchanged.

The ceasefire, reached between Israel and the Palestinian armed group Hamas, was expected to bring a halt to large-scale fighting and pave the way for further political and security arrangements. These included provisions for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and discussions on the disarmament of Hamas. However, no final agreement on the next phase has been reached, and key provisions remain unimplemented.

Since the ceasefire began, Israeli military presence and operations have continued to be reported in parts of Gaza. According to prevailing assessments cited in reports, approximately 64 per cent of the Gaza Strip is currently under Israeli control.

Fikri Shaltout, Gaza Director of the UK-based charity Medical Aid for Palestinians, said the situation reflects continued civilian suffering despite the truce. He stated: “Gaza has reached another tragic milestone. Thousands of people were told the worst was over, but they are still burying their loved ones.”

Earlier this month, Hamas political bureau member Hossam Badran stated in an interview with Al Jazeera that the group would not disarm immediately. He added that the future of its weapons arsenal would be determined through consultations with other Palestinian factions.

The ceasefire was also expected to provide space for the gradual restoration of Gaza’s severely damaged health system. However, conditions remain critical. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), out of 37 hospitals in Gaza, only 20 are partially functional. None are fully operational at present, reflecting the scale of damage sustained during the conflict.

The broader humanitarian toll remains severe. Official figures from Gaza authorities state that since the start of the full-scale war on 23 October 2023, more than 73,000 people have been killed. Large areas of the territory have been reduced to rubble, and approximately 1.9 million people have been displaced from their homes.

Key Figures in Gaza Conflict and Ceasefire Period

Despite the declared ceasefire, the absence of a comprehensive political settlement and continued military activity have left Gaza facing ongoing casualties and a strained humanitarian infrastructure.