8 more Gazans killed by Israeli fire despite ceasefire, death toll nears 72,350

Eight Palestinians were killed by Israeli army fire in the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours, in the latest violation of a ceasefire agreement in effect since last October, the Health Ministry said Wednesday.

Hospitals in Gaza also received 29 wounded in attacks by Israeli forces, the ministry added in a statement.

The ministry did not give details on the circumstances of the casualties, but said Israel continues daily strikes despite the Oct. 10 ceasefire.

According to the ministry, the death toll from Israeli attacks since Oct. 8, 2023 rose to 72,344, while 172,242 people have been injured.

Since the ceasefire began, a total of 765 Palestinians have been killed, 2,140 injured and 760 bodies recovered, the ministry said.

Many victims remain trapped under rubble or on the streets, as ambulance and civil defense crews are still unable to reach them, the ministry said.

The ceasefire agreement was meant to end a two-year Israeli offensive on Gaza, which has destroyed 90% of the civilian infrastructure in the enclave. The UN estimates reconstruction costs at around $70 billion.

*Writing by Lina Altawell