Death toll in Gaza war passes 30,000, Health Ministry says

The Gaza Health Ministry said on Thursday that over 30,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the Israel-Hamas war nearly five months ago.The deadliest violence in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict erupted when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on October 7, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 250 hostages.Israel responded with one of the deadliest and most destructive military campaigns in recent history.

The Gaza Health Ministry said on Thursday that over 30,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the Israel-Hamas war nearly five months ago.

The deadliest violence in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict erupted when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on October 7, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 250 hostages.

Israel responded with one of the deadliest and most destructive military campaigns in recent history. The war has driven 80 per cent of Gaza's population of 2.3 million Palestinians from their homes, and UN officials say a quarter of the population is starving.

The ministry said that 30,035 have been killed and another 70,457 wounded since the start of the war.

Gaza's Health Ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run government, maintains detailed records of casualties. Its counts from previous wars have largely matched those of the UN, independent experts and even Israel's own tallies.

The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count but says women and children make up around two-thirds of those killed. It says the actual toll is higher because there are bodies buried under the rubble and in areas that medics can't reach.

Israel has vowed to continue the war until it destroys Hamas' military and governing capabilities and returns the over 100 hostages still held by the group.