Death Toll in Gaza War Surpasses 43,000 as Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

The Health Ministry in Gaza, which is under Hamas control, reported on Wednesday that the death toll in the ongoing conflict has exceeded 43,000, marking a grim milestone in the war that began over a year ago. According to the ministry, 43,985 people have been killed, with 104,092 more reported as wounded since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, following a surprise attack by Hamas militants on Israel.

The ministry's figures include 13 deaths in the past 24 hours, but it remains unclear how many of those killed were civilians or combatants. The ministry estimates that about 6,000 women and 11,000 children are among the dead, but the total number could be much higher due to an estimated 10,000 people in Gaza who remain unaccounted for.

The war erupted when Hamas militants launched an attack on Israel, killing nearly 1,200 people, including women and children. In response, Israel launched a military operation in Gaza on October 8, 2023. Since then, the conflict has caused immense loss of life, widespread displacement, and dire humanitarian conditions.

Humanitarian organizations working in Gaza have described the situation as increasingly dire. Casey Harrity, a representative of the international NGO Save the Children, reported that the population of Gaza has been squeezed into an ever-smaller area due to the Israeli military's operations. Many civilians have been displaced multiple times, and large numbers now live in overcrowded camps under harsh conditions. "Every available part of land is taken up by tents," said Harrity, describing a population lacking basic sanitation, running water, or adequate shelter. The conditions have led to outbreaks of disease in these shelters, adding to the suffering.

In addition to the challenges of displacement, civilians in Gaza continue to live in constant fear. Ghada Al-Haddad, who works for the British charity Oxfam, noted that families often huddle together at night, unsure whether they will survive until morning. "When you go to bed, you are not sure you are going to make it to the morning," she said.

As military operations continue, U.N.-designated "safe spaces," including schools, have been targeted by airstrikes. According to the United Nations Human Rights Office, at least 21 schools have been hit by Israeli airstrikes since early July. The IDF has stated that Hamas militants have used these sites to hide and launch operations, but many now agree that these schools, once seen as safe havens, are no longer secure for displaced families.

Children in Gaza are suffering disproportionately from the violence. According to both Harrity and Al-Haddad, many children have become desensitized to the brutality of war. Some can now distinguish between the sounds of airstrikes and artillery shells. The ongoing war has left many children in Gaza with severe emotional and physical trauma. Al-Haddad pointed out that many children are also forced to walk long distances to find water or firewood, as basic resources have become increasingly scarce.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have stated that they take steps to minimize civilian casualties, including the use of high-precision weapons and intelligence gathering. Despite these measures, the conflict's toll on civilians continues to rise, with children bearing much of the impact.

As the war enters its 14th month, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza shows no sign of abating. The conflict remains deeply entrenched, and the suffering of the civilian population, particularly among the young, is becoming more severe by the day.