Gaza Death Toll Rises to 49,747 as Israeli Attacks Continue
The Israeli military’s ongoing offensive in the Gaza Strip has claimed the lives of 130 more Palestinians, bringing the total death toll since October 2023 to 49,747, according to a statement from the Gaza Health Ministry on Saturday.
The ministry reported that the latest casualties included two bodies recovered from the rubble over the past 48 hours. Additionally, 263 Palestinians were injured in the recent attacks and transported to hospitals, raising the total number of injuries to 113,213 since the conflict began.
“Many victims remain trapped under the rubble and on the streets, as rescue teams are unable to reach them due to ongoing hostilities,” the ministry stated.
The violence has intensified since Tuesday, with Israel launching a surprise aerial campaign that killed over 700 Palestinians and injured more than 1,000 others. This escalation shattered a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement that had been in place since January.
In November, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, charging them with war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over its military actions in the enclave. The ongoing conflict has drawn widespread international condemnation and calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
