Gaza Death Toll Reaches 52,810 As Israeli Offensive Continues
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The death toll in Gaza has risen to over 52,800 since October 2023, according to the territory’s Health Ministry, as Israel presses on with its military campaign amid growing international condemnation and internal political divisions over humanitarian aid policy.
At least 52,810 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 2023, the Gaza Health Ministry said on Saturday.
The ministry reported that 23 people were killed in the past 24 hours, and 124 others were injured.
The total number of injured has now reached 119,473.
“Many victims are still trapped under the rubble and on the roads, with rescuers unable to reach them,” the ministry said.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir reiterated his demand on Friday for a full halt to humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza.
“I call on prime minister (Benjamin Netanyahu) and my fellow ministers to reverse the disastrous decision to renew aid to Gaza during the next Cabinet meeting; a decision I voted against in the previous session,” Ben-Gvir posted on X.
He added: “It is foolish, morally wrong, and strategically mistaken for Gazans to receive supplies while our hostages suffer from hunger. The equation must be clear: Want humanitarian aid? Release our hostages.”
On Monday, Ben-Gvir repeated his stance, saying the only aid that should enter Gaza is “for the purpose of voluntary migration,” Israel’s Channel 14 reported.
His remarks coincided with the Israeli Security Cabinet’s approval of a new aid delivery plan that would allow private US security contractors to distribute aid directly to individuals in Gaza.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee announced on Friday that a food aid operation for Gaza is set to launch soon and will proceed without Israeli government involvement.
Israel has kept Gaza’s border crossings shut to food, medical, and humanitarian aid since March 2, worsening the humanitarian crisis, according to reports by governments, rights groups, and international agencies.
The majority of those killed in Gaza since the start of the genocidal offensive have been women and children.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice related to its brutal war in the enclave.
