Israeli strikes kill 51 more Palestinians in 24 hours, bringing Gaza death toll to 52,243

Hospitals in the Gaza Strip have received the remains of 51 Palestinians over the past 24 hours, according to the local Health Ministry, bringing the total death toll from the ongoing Israel-Hamas war to 52,243.

This includes nearly 700 bodies recently documented by the ministry in its latest update. The daily toll continues to rise as bodies are recovered from the rubble following earlier Israeli airstrikes, Caliber.Az reports, citing UK media.

Israel's military campaign resumed on March 18 after the expiration of a ceasefire, which had been in place for several months. Since then, Israeli forces have launched daily bombardments, intensified by ground operations that have resulted in the expansion of a buffer zone and the encirclement of Rafah in southern Gaza. The Israeli military now controls roughly 50% of the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, the territory remains under a tight blockade, with Israel sealing off Gaza’s borders to imports, including essential supplies such as food and medicine. This blockade, now approaching its 60th day, has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with aid organizations warning that critical supplies will soon run out. The situation is particularly dire for children, many of whom are suffering from severe malnutrition.

Israel maintains that the ongoing offensive and blockade are aimed at pressuring Hamas to release hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack that initiated the war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue military operations until Hamas is dismantled and all hostages are freed.

Hamas has offered to release the remaining 59 hostages, 24 of whom are believed to be alive, but only in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire, and a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza—terms outlined in a now-defunct ceasefire agreement from January.

The October 7 Hamas assault left around 1,200 dead, mostly civilians, and led to the abduction of 251 people. While many hostages have been freed through ceasefire agreements or other negotiations, the conflict has continued unabated, with Gaza’s population bearing the brunt of the violence.

The Health Ministry reports that women and children represent the majority of the Palestinian casualties, though it has not specified the breakdown between militants and civilians. Additionally, the ministry estimates that more than 117,600 people have been wounded in the fighting.

For the record, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains critical, and international calls for a ceasefire and increased aid access have been growing louder in recent weeks. However, with both sides firmly entrenched in their positions, the war appears far from over, and the prospects for peace remain uncertain.

By Khagan Isayev