KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip — Over 69,000 Palestinians have died as a result of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, according to Gaza health officials. This grim milestone was reported on Saturday as both sides completed a recent exchange of bodies in line with the terms of a fragile ceasefire, which began on October 10, 2023.
The toll reflects a significant increase in fatalities as recovery efforts in the devastated Gaza Strip intensify and more bodies are identified. This count includes those Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes that Israel claims are aimed at eliminating remaining militants. As part of the ceasefire arrangement, Israel returned the remains of another 15 Palestinians to Gaza on Saturday, following the return of the remains of a hostage identified as Lior Rudaeff the previous day.
The exchanges of remains are central to the initial phase of the ceasefire, which mandates that Hamas quickly return all hostage remains. In Tel Aviv, families and supporters rallied for the return of their loved ones, emphasizing the emotional toll of the ongoing conflict. The ceasefire seeks to de-escalate what has become the deadliest and most destructive war between Israel and Hamas, triggered by the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack that resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli fatalities and led to 251 hostages being taken.
According to Ahmed Dheir, the director of forensic medicine at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, the remains of 300 individuals have been returned as part of this process, with 89 of those identified. Dheir lamented the lack of resources and DNA matching capabilities for those yet to be identified, noting that unidentified remains would be buried in batches. Families desperately searched through body bags of decomposed remains in the hopes of finding their loved ones, with many expressing ongoing hope despite the grim circumstances.
Gaza's Health Ministry reported that the total number of deaths since the inception of the conflict now stands at 69,169, with an additional 284 fatalities confirmed post the verification of identities between October 31 and November 7. The Ministry disclosed that in the last three days, 10 bodies had been added to the hospitals in Gaza—nine recovered from the rubble and one newly deceased. It also highlighted the continuing plight of many Palestinians who remain missing.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military confirmed that two militants were killed during clashes with troops, one in northern Gaza and another in the south. On the same day, there were reports of Israeli settlers attacking Palestinian farmers and others in the occupied West Bank, with settler violence reaching an alarming level during the olive harvest season.
In one instance in Beita, 11 individuals were reported injured—including journalists, medics, international activists, and farmers—during settler attacks. October 2023 marked a record month for settler violence, with over 260 documented attacks. Activist Jonathan Pollak recounted an incident in which he was assaulted while picking olives, observing masked Israeli settlers attacking others. A spokesperson for Reuters reported that two journalists were injured while covering the events.
The Israeli military characterized the incident as a confrontation during an uncoordinated olive harvest and stated that injuries were reported on both sides. Rights groups highlight the rarity of arrests and prosecutions for settler violence; a 2022 report indicated that only 3.8% of cases led to charges being filed. Palestinian health officials also reported additional settler attacks in nearby Burin, leading to injuries among both locals and international activists.
As the situation continues to evolve, the humanitarian crisis deepens, with the international community observing the escalating violence and the call for accountability growing louder amidst the ongoing conflict.
