Updated Story: Gaza Death Toll Surpasses 45,000 Amid Efforts \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ More than 45,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, with ceasefire negotiations showing renewed progress. The toll continues to rise following deadly airstrikes, while humanitarian concerns mount. Efforts led by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S. aim to secure a second truce.
Gaza War Toll Climbs: Updated Story Quick Looks
- Gaza’s Health Ministry reports 45,028 deaths and over 106,000 injuries since the war began.
- Ceasefire talks, led by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S., show renewed momentum for a deal.
- Israel claims Hamas operations in civilian areas are driving the high death toll.
- Latest airstrikes killed dozens, including a family of four and 13 civilians in Khan Younis.
- A Palestinian journalist and civil defense workers were killed in a strike condemned by Al Jazeera.
- Israel maintains its targets were Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants operating in civilian spaces.
Deep Look
Qatar, Egypt, and the United States have intensified diplomatic efforts in recent days to broker a second ceasefire, which Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described as “closer than at any time” since the previous truce in November 2023. That week-long ceasefire had resulted in the release of 105 hostages.
“We all estimate that an opportunity is being created following Hamas’s need to become more flexible, and I really hope we can advance to a practical stage in this process,” Katz stated during a session of Israel’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
Mounting Casualties
The war, which has now claimed the lives of approximately 2% of Gaza’s prewar population of 2.3 million, remains the deadliest conflict between Israel and Hamas to date. The Health Ministry stated that women and children account for more than half of the fatalities. The Israeli military, however, claims that over 17,000 militants have been killed but has yet to provide supporting evidence.
Airstrikes and Humanitarian Crisis
More than 50 deaths were reported over the last 24 hours across Gaza. Among the victims were a family of four who died in an overnight Israeli airstrike on Gaza City’s Shijaiyah neighborhood. In a separate strike on Sunday, at least 13 civilians, including six children and two women, were killed when a school in Khan Younis was hit.
Journalist’s Death Sparks Condemnation
In central Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp, mourners held a funeral for Ahmad Baker Al-Louh, a journalist for Al Jazeera who was killed in an Israeli strike on Sunday. The strike, which targeted Gaza’s Civil Defense Agency, also killed three rescue workers, including the local head of the agency.
Al Jazeera denounced the attack, stating Al-Louh was covering the rescue operations of a family wounded in an earlier bombing. The Israeli military alleged the journalist was affiliated with Islamic Jihad, a claim vehemently denied by his colleagues and Gaza’s civil defense officials.
“We were stunned by the Israeli occupation statement,” said Mahmoud al-Lawh, Al-Louh’s cousin. “These claims are lies and misleading to cover up this crime.”
Ceasefire Talks Show Promise
Amid escalating casualties, ceasefire negotiations appear to be progressing. Diplomats from Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S. are working to secure a deal similar to the November 2023 truce, which temporarily halted fighting and led to hostage releases.
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz expressed cautious optimism, attributing progress to Hamas’s increasing need to compromise. “An opportunity is being created following Hamas’s need to become more flexible,” Katz emphasized.
Despite diplomatic efforts, challenges persist on the ground as both sides remain entrenched in their positions. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen as civilians bear the brunt of the ongoing conflict.
Updated Story: Gaza
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