More than 69,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, as confirmed by Gaza health officials on Saturday. The recent surge in casualties is attributed to the recovery of bodies in the heavily damaged Gaza Strip since the ceasefire commenced on October 10. These fatalities encompass individuals targeted by Israeli strikes, which Israel claims were aimed at militant groups.
Over the weekend, Israel repatriated the remains of 15 Palestinians to Gaza, following the return of a hostage’s remains to Israel. The hostage, identified as Lior Rudaeff, was of Argentinean origin, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. The process of exchanging remains is a crucial component of the initial phase of the ceasefire, mandating Hamas to promptly return all hostages’ remains.
The ceasefire is a pivotal step towards de-escalating the deadliest conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant faction. It was triggered by Hamas’ attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 individuals being held captive by Israeli forces.
In parallel developments, Israeli settlers engaged in two separate assaults on Palestinian farmers and other individuals in the occupied West Bank during the olive harvest season. Israel has been releasing the remains of 15 Palestinians for each Israeli hostage returned. To date, 300 sets of remains have been repatriated, with 89 positively identified.
Resources and DNA testing constraints have posed challenges in matching remains with their respective families, leading to the collective burial of unidentified bodies. Families holding out hope have been anxiously sifting through decomposed remains, yearning for closure.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported a total of 69,169 deaths in Gaza since the conflict began, with an additional 284 individuals confirmed deceased between October 31 and November 7. The ministry highlighted the recovery of more bodies post-ceasefire, with 241 fatalities recorded during this period. Numerous Palestinians remain unaccounted for, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
In a separate incident, Israeli military actions resulted in the deaths of two militants in Gaza, while 11 individuals were injured in an attack by Israeli settlers in the West Bank town of Beita. The United Nations noted a surge in settler attacks in October, reaching unprecedented levels since monitoring began in 2006.
The escalating violence underscores the deep-rooted tensions and human toll of the protracted conflict, necessitating concerted efforts to restore peace and stability in the region.