Death Toll Rises in Israel-Hamas Conflict
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the number of Palestinians killed in the Israel-Hamas war has surpassed 68,000, with the toll increasing since the ceasefire began more than a week ago.
Most of the recent fatalities were discovered during ongoing recovery operations in the rubble.
Identification of Hostage Remains
Israel has confirmed that the remains of a hostage, Eliyahu Margalit, recently handed over by Hamas have been identified. The Palestinian group is continuing its search for more bodies in the Gaza Strip and calling for increased humanitarian aid.
The Prime Minister’s office confirmed that Margalit, who was abducted during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, has been identified by the National Center for Forensic Medicine. Margalit was taken from his workplace at horse stables in Kibbutz Nir Oz.
Families Demand Full Return of Hostages
Margalit’s identification marks the 10th return of a hostage body since the ceasefire began. Although Hamas has handed over another body, it was not that of a hostage. The effort to recover remains comes amid warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the continuation of the war if all hostages’ bodies are not returned, totaling 28.
Ongoing Violence and Humanitarian Needs
Hamas has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire, with reports of nine people, including women and children, killed by Israeli fire when their vehicle was struck in Gaza City. The Israeli military asserts that it acted in accordance with the ceasefire due to perceived threats from the vehicle.
Calls for Increased Humanitarian Aid
Alongside efforts to recover remains, Hamas is pressing mediators for greater humanitarian assistance and the opening of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. The current flow of aid remains limited, with only 339 trucks having been distributed since the ceasefire began, while the agreement stipulates a daily entry of about 600 trucks.
While Israel claims it has delivered sufficient aid, the U.N. reports a humanitarian crisis, citing famine conditions in Gaza City and over 400 deaths linked to malnutrition, with claims from aid agencies rejecting accusations of theft against Hamas.
