The death toll from the Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip has risen to 72,117 killed and 171,801 injured since the beginning of the ongoing war of extermination on 7 October 2023, according to figures released by Gaza’s Ministry of Health.
The ministry reported on Wednesday that one fatality and three injuries were brought to hospitals over the past 24 hours. However, a number of victims remain trapped beneath the rubble or lying in the streets, as ambulance and rescue crews face severe difficulties reaching them.
Since the announcement of a ceasefire on 11 October last year, the total number of fatalities has reached 633, with 1,703 people injured. Rescue teams have also recovered 753 bodies from beneath the rubble so far.
The continued rise in casualties in Gaza, coupled with the inability of medical and rescue teams to reach victims, constitutes a grave breach of international humanitarian law, which obliges an occupying power to protect civilians and ensure their access to medical assistance. Attacks on residential areas and civilian infrastructure are also considered war crimes under the four Geneva Conventions, which prohibit the targeting of civilians, hospitals, and schools during armed conflict.
International law further stipulates that the excessive use of force or disproportionate attacks causing civilian harm places direct responsibility on the attacking party. Such violations allow human rights organisations to document abuses and pursue accountability before international courts.
Human rights organisations have also stressed the urgent need for independent and transparent international investigations into incidents resulting in civilian deaths and injuries, in order to ensure justice, hold perpetrators accountable, and protect civilians from further escalation.
Today, the Gaza Strip reflects an ongoing humanitarian catastrophe, where civilians continue to face insecurity, blockade, and the destruction of vital infrastructure. These conditions underscore the urgent need to prioritise the protection of human rights and intensify international pressure to end violations and ensure respect for international law.
