Gaza Civilian Death Toll Reaches Over 70,000 Amid Ongoing Violence

Thu Dec 04 2025 20:22:13 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

More than 70,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel's military offensive began, as reported by Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry. The conflict escalated following an attack on Israel by Hamas in October 2023.

The conflict in Gaza has led to a staggering death toll, with over 70,000 Palestinian casualties reported since the beginning of Israel's military actions. This includes recent deaths, such as that of two young brothers in an Israeli drone strike. As claims and counterclaims persist, access to verified information remains a sticking point for international journalists and observers.

More than 70,000 Palestinians have been killed as a result of Israel's military campaign in Gaza, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.

The death toll has continued to rise since a ceasefire took effect on 10 October, with Israel carrying out airstrikes for what it says are violations of the truce, while bodies continue to be recovered from under the rubble.

Among those reportedly killed in an Israeli drone strike on Saturday were two young brothers, Fadi and Juma Abu Assi, whose family said they had been gathering firewood when they were killed.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) told the BBC they had struck two suspects who had crossed the so-called yellow line, marking where the Israeli military had agreed to withdraw to under a ceasefire brokered by the United States more than seven weeks ago.

The boys who died were described in media reports as an eight-year-old and his brother, aged 10 or 11. Their relatives reported they had been looking for firewood east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip when they were killed. Their funeral was held at Nasser Hospital on Saturday.

Figures from the Gaza Ministry of Health (MoH) have been widely referenced throughout the war and are considered reliable by the United Nations (UN) and other international institutions. However, Israel has consistently disputed the data published by Gaza authorities.

International journalists, including the BBC, are blocked from entering Gaza independently, thus unable to verify the figures from either side. Gaza's Health Ministry states that the Palestinian toll is currently 70,100, with more than 350 deaths reported since the 10 October ceasefire.

The Israeli military launched its offensive on Gaza in response to a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages.