Gaza death toll surges to 48,329 as more bodies found in rubble

GAZA CITY, Palestine

Palestinian medics and rescue teams retrieved seven more bodies from the rubble in the Gaza Strip, pushing the overall death toll from Israel’s genocidal war since Oct. 2023 to 48,329, the Health Ministry said on Saturday.

A ministry statement said that the toll also included two Palestinians killed by Israeli army fire in the last 48 hours.

Nearly 111,753 others were injured in the Israeli onslaught on Gaza since October 2023, the Health Ministry added.

“Many victims are still trapped under the rubble and on the roads as rescuers are unable to reach them,” the ministry said.

A ceasefire agreement has been in place in Gaza since Jan. 19, temporarily halting the Israeli war that has caused widespread destruction and left the Palestinian enclave in ruins.

Despite the ceasefire, the Gaza local authorities reported almost daily ceasefire violations by the Israeli army.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November last year for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.​​​​​​​