Since October 2023, the Gaza Strip has been engulfed in a devastating conflict, marked by an unprecedented level of violence and destruction. According to a statement released by the Gaza Health Ministry on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at least 65,926 Palestinians have lost their lives in what the ministry describes as Israel’s genocidal war on the region. This staggering death toll, coupled with widespread injuries and a deepening humanitarian crisis, paints a grim picture of the situation in Gaza, where the civilian population continues to bear the brunt of the ongoing hostilities.
Escalating Casualties and Injuries
The Health Ministry’s latest report provides a harrowing update on the human cost of the conflict. In the past 24 hours alone, hospitals in Gaza received the bodies of 77 individuals killed in the violence, while an additional 265 people were reported injured. These figures contribute to a cumulative total of 167,783 injuries since the onset of the Israeli military campaign in October 2023. The ministry emphasized that these numbers are likely an undercount, as many victims remain trapped under the rubble of destroyed buildings or lie unreachable on the streets due to the inability of rescue teams to access affected areas safely.
The ministry also reported that the death toll was recently updated after the identification and verification of 300 additional victims, whose data were added to the official registry. This process underscores the challenges faced by local authorities in documenting the full extent of the casualties amid the chaos of the conflict. The sheer scale of the losses highlights the relentless intensity of the Israeli military operations, which have targeted densely populated areas, leaving little room for civilians to find safety.
Attacks on Civilians Seeking Humanitarian Aid
One of the most alarming aspects of the conflict is the targeting of civilians attempting to access humanitarian aid, a lifeline for many in Gaza amidst widespread shortages of food, water, and medical supplies. The Health Ministry reported that, in the last 24 hours, 17 Palestinians were killed and 89 others injured by Israeli army fire while trying to secure aid. This brings the total number of Palestinians killed while seeking humanitarian assistance to 2,560 since May 27, 2025, with over 18,703 others wounded in similar incidents.
These attacks have exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where the population is grappling with acute shortages and limited access to basic necessities. The targeting of aid seekers has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights organizations, which argue that such actions violate international humanitarian law and further endanger vulnerable populations. The inability of aid organizations to operate safely in the region has compounded the crisis, leaving many families without access to essential supplies.
Resumption of Hostilities and Collapse of Ceasefire
The current wave of violence marks a significant escalation following the breakdown of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement that had briefly taken hold in January 2025. According to the Health Ministry, the Israeli army resumed its attacks on the Gaza Strip on March 18, 2025, unleashing a new phase of destruction that has claimed the lives of 13,060 people and injured 55,742 others in the intervening months. The collapse of the ceasefire, which had offered a glimmer of hope for de-escalation, has plunged Gaza back into a cycle of violence, with devastating consequences for its civilian population.
The reasons for the breakdown of the ceasefire remain contentious, with both sides accusing each other of violations. However, the renewed Israeli military campaign has been characterized by intense airstrikes, ground operations, and the use of heavy weaponry in densely populated areas. The targeting of civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and residential buildings, has drawn widespread criticism and raised concerns about the proportionality and legality of Israel’s actions under international law.
International Legal Accountability
The scale and nature of the violence in Gaza have prompted significant international legal scrutiny. In November 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The ICC accused both leaders of war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The issuance of these warrants marked a historic moment, as it represented one of the most high-profile efforts to hold Israeli officials accountable for alleged violations of international law.
In addition to the ICC’s actions, Israel faces an ongoing genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The case, brought by several countries and supported by human rights organizations, alleges that Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute genocide under the 1948 Genocide Convention. The ICJ’s proceedings are ongoing, and the court has called for immediate measures to protect civilians and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to the enclave. However, the lack of enforcement mechanisms has limited the practical impact of these legal efforts, leaving many in Gaza feeling abandoned by the international community.
Humanitarian Crisis and Infrastructure Collapse
The relentless Israeli military campaign has not only resulted in catastrophic loss of life but has also precipitated a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented proportions. The destruction of critical infrastructure, including hospitals, water treatment facilities, and power plants, has left Gaza’s population struggling to survive. The Health Ministry’s reports indicate that the healthcare system is on the verge of collapse, with hospitals overwhelmed by the influx of casualties and facing severe shortages of medical supplies, fuel, and personnel.
The targeting of civilian infrastructure has also disrupted access to clean water, sanitation, and electricity, exacerbating the risk of disease outbreaks and further endangering vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly. The United Nations and other humanitarian organizations have repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of safe corridors for aid delivery, but these pleas have largely gone unheeded.
The blockade imposed by Israel on Gaza, which has been in place for nearly two decades, has compounded the crisis by restricting the flow of goods and people into and out of the enclave. The blockade, combined with the ongoing military operations, has created a situation where the majority of Gaza’s population is dependent on external aid for survival. However, the targeting of aid seekers and the destruction of aid infrastructure have made it increasingly difficult for humanitarian organizations to meet the needs of the population.
Civilian Suffering and Displacement
The civilian population of Gaza has been disproportionately affected by the conflict, with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble and families displaced multiple times in search of safety. The United Nations estimates that over 1.5 million people—nearly three-quarters of Gaza’s population—have been internally displaced since October 2023. Many of these individuals are living in overcrowded shelters, makeshift camps, or damaged buildings, with limited access to food, water, or sanitation.
The psychological toll of the conflict on Gaza’s residents cannot be overstated. Children, in particular, have been deeply traumatized by the constant threat of airstrikes, the loss of loved ones, and the destruction of their homes and schools. Mental health services, already severely limited before the conflict, are now virtually nonexistent, leaving many without the support they need to cope with the ongoing trauma.
The targeting of civilian infrastructure has also had a profound impact on education in Gaza. Thousands of schools have been damaged or destroyed, and many children have been unable to attend classes for nearly two years. The loss of educational opportunities threatens to create a “lost generation” of Palestinian youth, with long-term consequences for the social and economic fabric of the region.
International Response and Calls for Accountability
The international community’s response to the crisis in Gaza has been mixed, with some countries and organizations calling for an immediate ceasefire and others continuing to provide diplomatic and military support to Israel. The United States, a key ally of Israel, has faced criticism for its continued provision of military aid, including weapons used in the Gaza campaign. Critics argue that this support enables the ongoing violence and undermines efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have documented extensive evidence of war crimes and violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza. These organizations have called for an immediate halt to the violence, the lifting of the blockade, and accountability for those responsible for atrocities. The issuance of ICC arrest warrants and the ICJ genocide case represent significant steps toward accountability, but their impact remains limited in the absence of enforcement mechanisms.
The United Nations has also played a central role in responding to the crisis, with agencies such as UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees) providing critical assistance to Gaza’s population. However, UNRWA’s operations have been severely hampered by funding shortages and attacks on its facilities, including schools and clinics used as shelters for displaced civilians.
Historical Context and Root Causes
The current conflict in Gaza cannot be fully understood without considering its historical and political context. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which dates back to the early 20th century, is rooted in competing national aspirations and territorial claims. The establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, followed by the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in what is known as the Nakba, laid the foundation for decades of tension and violence.
Gaza, a small coastal enclave home to over two million people, has been under Israeli blockade since 2007, when Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, took control of the territory. The blockade has severely restricted the movement of people and goods, leading to widespread poverty, unemployment, and a lack of access to basic services. Periodic escalations of violence, including major Israeli military operations in 2008-2009, 2012, 2014, and 2021, have further devastated the region and entrenched a cycle of suffering.
The events of October 2023, which triggered the current conflict, were marked by a large-scale attack by Hamas on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis and the capture of more than 200 hostages. Israel’s response, characterized by a massive military campaign in Gaza, has been described as disproportionate by many observers, given the scale of civilian casualties and destruction.
The Path Forward
As the conflict in Gaza enters its third year, the prospects for a resolution remain uncertain. The collapse of the January 2025 ceasefire and the resumption of hostilities have dashed hopes for a negotiated settlement in the near term. International efforts to broker a new ceasefire and address the humanitarian crisis have been stymied by political divisions and the intransigence of the parties involved.
For the people of Gaza, the immediate priority is survival. The Health Ministry’s reports of mounting casualties and injuries underscore the urgent need for an end to the violence and the delivery of humanitarian aid. However, achieving a lasting peace will require addressing the root causes of the conflict, including the Israeli occupation, the blockade of Gaza, and the broader question of Palestinian self-determination.
The international community has a critical role to play in ending the cycle of violence and ensuring accountability for violations of international law. The ICC and ICJ proceedings represent important steps toward justice, but their success will depend on the willingness of states to uphold their obligations under international law. In the meantime, the people of Gaza continue to endure unimaginable suffering, caught in a conflict that shows no signs of abating.
Conclusion
The Gaza Health Ministry’s latest figures—65,926 killed, 167,783 injured, and thousands more trapped under rubble—offer a stark reminder of the human cost of the ongoing conflict. The targeting of civilians seeking aid, the destruction of infrastructure, and the collapse of the healthcare system have created a humanitarian catastrophe that demands immediate action. As the international community grapples with the legal and moral implications of the violence, the people of Gaza remain in desperate need of protection, assistance, and a path toward a just and lasting peace. The world cannot afford to look away.