The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza reports that more than 50,000 people have been killed by Israel’s ongoing bombardment and invasion of the Gaza Strip—an unprecedented figure that has alarmed international observers and provoked renewed scrutiny of the conflict. According to the ministry, the death toll, which had slowed during a two-month ceasefire, has surged dramatically since Israeli forces resumed their offensive on March 18.
Ceasefire Ends, Violence Intensifies
Israeli airstrikes and ground operations recommenced following the collapse of a fragile ceasefire, which had temporarily tempered hostilities. The Palestinian Ministry of Health says 673 people have been killed and 1,233 injured during the renewed attacks, including at least 200 children among the dead. Officials added that the names of 233 missing persons were recently confirmed as deceased by a judicial committee, further increasing the toll.
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Israeli authorities have rejected these figures, calling them inflated. They also argue that the ministry is influenced by Hamas, which governs the coastal enclave. International humanitarian organizations, however, generally consider the ministry’s methodology for counting casualties to be credible and say independent monitoring remains challenging due to restricted access in Gaza.
Invasion and Bombardment
The Israeli government launched its current campaign in the aftermath of the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, which left nearly 1,200 Israelis dead and led to the abduction of 251 hostages. In the latest phase of the conflict, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Friday that troops were instructed to seize more land within Gaza. Katz threatened to annex captured territory unless Hamas agrees to release additional hostages, citing Israel’s long-standing policy of negotiating from a position of strength.
Two days prior, on March 19, Katz also issued a stark warning to Gaza’s residents. He stated that the offensive would grow “worse than the extensive death and damage already suffered” if Hamas does not surrender its hostages and disband. “The alternative is complete destruction and devastation,” he said in an address carried by multiple Israeli media outlets.
Mounting Humanitarian Concerns
Reports from medical facilities in southern Gaza indicate a rising toll. Hospital staff in Khan Younis and Rafah say at least 30 people were killed in fresh Israeli strikes on Sunday alone, including three municipal employees performing essential services. Witnesses described an uptick in targeted hits across northern, central, and southern sections of Gaza, with the early hours of Sunday marked by frequent explosions.
Humanitarian agencies warn that the risk to civilians is growing as Israel expands its ground operations. Families have been displaced multiple times, relocating between towns and refugee camps in an attempt to escape bombardment. Israel’s government maintains that its forces aim to minimize civilian casualties, but it places responsibility on Hamas for operating within densely populated areas.
Hamas Leader Reportedly Killed
Among those killed in the strikes, Hamas says, was Salah al-Bardaweel, a political leader and member of the group’s decision-making body. Bardaweel had previously led the Hamas media office and took part in indirect truce talks with Israel in 2009. In a statement, Hamas declared that “his blood, that of his wife and martyrs, will remain fuelling the battle of liberation and independence.”
Israel’s military did not respond to requests for comment on the specifics of Bardaweel’s reported death. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, has reiterated that the primary aim of the operation is to destroy Hamas’s military capabilities and governing structures in the Gaza Strip, saying the group poses a fundamental threat to Israel’s security.
Hostages and Annexation Threat
Israeli forces continue to push deeper from the north, center, and south of the strip, seeking to exert control over areas Hamas fighters once held. The threat of annexation has drawn condemnation from Palestinian authorities, who call it a violation of international law. Minister Katz’s statement that “Israel would annex [the seized land] if Hamas refuses to release more hostages” has added another layer of tension to an already volatile situation.
The status of those taken hostage on October 7 remains shrouded in uncertainty. Israeli officials have disclosed little detail on their negotiating strategies, while Hamas has been similarly guarded. Occasional releases have taken place—often involving women, children, or the elderly—but there is no public roadmap for a comprehensive resolution.
Growing Protest Movements
Inside Israel, protests against the continued conflict have surfaced, though they remain overshadowed by broader demonstrations addressing domestic politics. Some Israeli citizens have publicly questioned the renewed escalation, wary of the casualties on both sides and concerned about its long-term repercussions for regional stability. Nonetheless, the Israeli government insists it must respond forcefully to ensure the safety of its citizens and to secure the hostages’ return.
Outlook
As the campaign grinds on, humanitarian organizations warn of collapsing infrastructure within Gaza, where essential services such as electricity, water, and medical care are already overextended. The reported casualty counts, alongside mass displacement, add urgency to calls from international bodies demanding a negotiated settlement or renewed ceasefire.
For now, however, the prospect of an immediate truce appears slim. Israel’s military vows to continue dismantling Hamas’s command and control networks, while Hamas pledges to keep fighting unless its conditions—primarily the lifting of Israel’s blockade and recognition of Palestinian political sovereignty—are met.
With the stakes so high and the human toll mounting, diplomats worldwide are closely watching for any opening that might lead to a cessation of violence. Yet each day of bombardment seems to deepen the gulf between the two sides, leaving Gaza’s civilian population bearing the brunt of an expanding conflict whose endpoint remains uncertain.
