Gaza War Death Toll Surpasses 74,000 Palestinians as Key Middle East Developments Continue

The Palestinian death toll in the Israel-Hamas war, now approaching its third year, has climbed beyond 74,000, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

A ceasefire that began on Oct. 10 brought an end to the most intense combat, but Israeli military strikes have continued. Israel says those attacks have been carried out in response to perceived threats or assaults.

Here is the latest from the Middle East as of Sunday.

Gaza ceasefire talks and implementation remain largely deadlocked

Gaza’s Health Ministry reported Saturday that 74,016 Palestinians have been killed and 175,068 wounded since the conflict began. The war started on Oct. 7, 2023, after Hamas-led fighters entered Israel, killing about 1,200 people—most of them civilians—and capturing 251 hostages.

The ministry said 1,145 Palestinians have died since the ceasefire took effect. Although it operates under the Hamas-led administration, its detailed casualty records are generally regarded by U.N. agencies and international organizations as credible. The figures do not separate civilians from combatants; the ministry says women and children account for roughly half of the deaths.

Seven Israeli soldiers have also been killed since the truce began.

Much of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire framework remains unfulfilled. Israeli troops control more than half of Gaza, Hamas has yet to surrender its weapons, a new Palestinian administration has not taken office and large-scale rebuilding has not started.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained that his forces will remain in place until Hamas disarms.

NEXT UP: Ewan McGregor shares the movie he dislikes the most – NewsFinale

Israel’s Jewish opposition parties pledge unity against Netanyahu

Israel’s major Jewish opposition parties said Saturday night that they would coordinate their campaign to defeat Netanyahu’s coalition in next month’s “critical elections.” The announcement follows repeated criticism over divisions within the opposition.

The election will be the first since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks and is widely viewed as a judgment on the security breakdown that preceded them.

Those taking part included Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief considered Netanyahu’s primary challenger; former Prime Ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, who are running on a joint ticket; Yair Golan, leader of a center-left party; and Avigdor Lieberman, head of a hawkish opposition faction.

The parties said they would cooperate to boost voter participation, push back against “fake news and smear campaigns” and establish the core principles for Israel’s next government.

“We recognize that these elections are critical to the future of the state,” the parties said in a joint statement.

___

This report will be updated as additional developments are reported throughout the day.