Gaza death toll surpasses 66,000 as Israel-Hamas war, even as Netanyahu hints of no short term relief
The Gaza's Health Ministry has said that half of the dead include women and children. Despite its affiliation with Hamas, the Gaza ministry's data is widely regarded by the United Nations as a credible estimate of the toll on civilians.
Bharatiya Abroad | Edited by Staff Writer | Updated: September 28, 2025 6:32 pm UTC
New Delhi: The Gaza's Health Ministry on Sunday claimed that the death toll in the Israel-Hamas war has now surpassed 66,000.
The ministry, which comes under the administration of Hamas, reported that 66,005 individuals have been murdered and 1,68,162 injured in Gaza since Hamas opened fire at Israel on October 7, 2023, prompting a fierce military response from Israel.
The ministry has said that half of the dead include women and children.
Israel's attack on Gaza on October 7, 2023 has levelled large sections of Gaza. The Israel attack has made about 90 per cent of the population to flee and resulted in a catastrophic humanitarian emergency, with experts declaring Gaza City to be in a state of famine.
Despite its affiliation with Hamas, the ministry's data is widely regarded by the United Nations and independent humanitarian experts as a credible estimate of the toll on civilians.
The increasing death toll coincides with Israel's military operation in Gaza, unabated.
Meanwhile, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is on a visit to Washington for his scheduled talks with US President Donald Trump on Monday, has indicated of no short-term change of course, despite he has been facing intense international pressure for a ceasefire.
Netanyahu also delivered a fiery address at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday.
He invoked the October 7 attacks in Israel while drawing parallel with the September 11 terror strikes in the United States.
https://x.com/netanyahu/status/1971603188026585527
In his speech he stated, "Granting the Palestinians a state one mile from Jerusalem after October 7 is akin to granting al-Qaeda a state one mile from New York City after September 11."
"This is sheer madness. It's insane, and we won't do it," Netanyahu added.
"You didn't do something right. You did something wrong, horribly wrong," he said, adding that such steps would only embolden further attacks on Jews and "innocent people everywhere."