Gaza’s grim toll: 42,000 lives lost since start of conflict

The Gaza Health Ministry has reported that the number of Palestinians killed as a result of Israeli military operations has surpassed 42,000 since October 2023.

According to a statement released on the ministry's official Telegram channel, the number of those killed as a result of Israeli actions in Gaza since October 2023 has risen to 42,010, with another 97,720 people wounded, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media sources.

The ministry also noted that “over the past 24 hours, 45 Palestinians were killed, and 130 were injured due to Israeli shelling and bombardment in various areas of Gaza.”

The escalation in the Middle East began on October 7, 2023, when armed supporters of the Palestinian group Hamas infiltrated Israeli territory, leading to the deaths of residents in border settlements and the abduction of more than 240 hostages. In retaliation, Israel initiated a military operation in Gaza aimed at dismantling Hamas's military and political structures while working to secure the release of the hostages. Fighting in the region continues.

As of October 3, 112 hostages have been released from Gaza in exchange for prisoners held in Israel, with the largest exchange occurring on November 24, 2023, during a temporary ceasefire. Currently, approximately 97 hostages remain in Gaza, including at least 33 individuals believed to have died, according to Israeli officials.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have recovered the remains of 37 hostages, with the most recent bodies found in Rafah in early September.

By Tamilla Hasanova