More than 60,000 Palestinians have died in the 21-month war between Israel and Hamas, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The war has brought destruction, hunger, and loss to millions of people living in Gaza. This number includes thousands of women and children, making the situation even more heartbreaking.
Key Facts About the War
1. High Death Toll and Thousands Injured
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, 60,034 people have died, and 145,870 have been injured since the war began in October 2023. Among the dead are:
- 18,592 children
- 9,782 women
This means that almost half of the people killed are either children or women. The Health Ministry is managed by doctors and nurses. Even though it’s part of the Hamas-run government, the United Nations and many international groups trust its numbers. Israel does not agree with these figures but has not given its own detailed count.
2. Airstrikes Continue—Many Killed While Seeking Aid
Recent Israeli airstrikes killed over 30 people in Nuseirat refugee camp, most of them women and children. Local hospitals also reported:
- 33 people killed near an aid convoy in southern Gaza
- 14 more people killed near a humanitarian site in central Gaza
Witnesses say Israeli forces fired at people who were trying to get aid. Since May 2024, over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed while searching for food and help. The Israeli army claims it only fires warning shots and aims to hit Hamas militants, not civilians.
3. Humanitarian Crisis and Worsening Hunger
The food crisis in Gaza is getting worse. Experts from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) say that Gaza is very close to famine. The main reasons are:
- Israel’s tight control of aid entering Gaza
- Ongoing violence making it hard to distribute food
- A complete breakdown of law and order
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, “The people in Gaza are facing a disaster. The little aid coming in is not enough—it needs to become a flood.”
Despite this, Israel says it is increasing aid by opening more corridors. However, UN agencies say the situation has not improved much.
4. Aid Delivery Facing Problems
Some countries like Jordan, the UAE, France, and Germany are dropping food by air into Gaza. But there are serious problems:
- Many aid packages fall in dangerous areas (called “red zones”)
- Some land in the sea
- Airdrops are costly and risky
- People can get hurt or killed trying to grab the aid
Land delivery is still the safest and most effective way to bring help. But it is limited due to Israeli restrictions and local violence.
Hunger-Related Deaths Rising
The World Health Organization (WHO) says over 60 people, including 24 children under five, have died from malnutrition-related causes just this month. In total:
- 88 children have died from hunger since the war started
- 58 adults have died from malnutrition in July alone
During hunger emergencies, people may also die from simple infections or wounds because their bodies are too weak to heal.
What Caused the War?
The war began when Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping 251 people. About 50 hostages are still being held, and only around 20 are believed to be alive.
In early March 2025, Israel blocked all aid, food, fuel, and medicine for over two months. Then, it restarted air attacks and seized parts of Gaza to pressure Hamas to release hostages.
Since then, at least 8,867 Palestinians have died.
What Happens Next?
Peace talks between Israel and Hamas have stopped. Both the U.S. and Israel pulled their negotiating teams recently. Many believe international pressure on Israel to stop the war is growing.
Still, Israel says it is not using hunger as a weapon and blames Hamas for the suffering. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the focus on famine is part of an unfair campaign against Israel.
The Israel-Hamas war has created a deep humanitarian crisis in Gaza. With over 60,000 deaths, limited aid, and growing hunger, the situation continues to worsen. Calls for peace, more aid, and better access for relief workers are increasing daily across the world.
