Ceasefire persists as Israeli strikes in Gaza kill over 900 this year

More than 900 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since the ceasefire began on 10 October, the Hamas-run Ministry of Health says, bringing the total to over 1,300 deaths including 301 children.

The ministry recorded 251 deaths in October alone and reports that monthly fatalities rose between April and August, with July the deadliest month at 152 deaths including 21 children. The ministry attributes these deaths to Israeli military action but does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.

The Israel Defense Forces disputed the ministry’s figures, saying there is “no basis to assume” all listed were killed by IDF activity and asserting it operates precisely to remove threats while trying to mitigate civilian harm. The IDF also reported five soldiers killed in combat and one contractor killed in an operational accident since the ceasefire, and said it had killed hundreds of military operatives in targeted strikes.

Conflict monitoring group Acled reported around 200 Israeli strikes during the ceasefire that reportedly killed Hamas operatives or other armed militants, including commanders linked to the 7 October 2023 attack. Independent organisations Airwars and Every Casualty Counts said the ministry’s published names, ages and ID numbers make its data testable and broadly consistent with their tracking.

Liberal News Analysis: What Does This Development Mean?

According to the ministry and independent trackers cited by BBC Verify, Gaza has experienced continued deadly strikes during the ceasefire period, with increasing monthly civilian harm since April. Multiple verified incidents examined by BBC Verify include attacks on a beachside cafe, tents sheltering displaced people, a police headquarters, a funeral procession in Nuseirat and an apartment block in Gaza City, each linked by reports and imagery to significant casualties.

Unicef reported more than 300 child deaths since the ceasefire and noted aid workers have also been struck, including two Unicef-contracted water truck drivers killed in April. Airwars and academic researchers reported a rise in fatal incidents in July, and charity Every Casualty Counts emphasized the ministry’s detailed data allows for verification of individual deaths.

Hızlı Bakış: Bilmeniz Gerekenler

• Hamas-run Ministry of Health reports over 1,300 total deaths in Gaza since 10 October, including 301 children.
• More than 900 people reportedly killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza this year despite the ceasefire.
• July recorded the highest monthly death toll this year with 152 fatalities.

Kaynak: BBC