Gaza aggression death toll exceeds 72,000 martyrs, occupation continues to obstruct rescue operations

Medical sources in the Gaza Strip reported today, Saturday, a tragic increase in the death toll from the ongoing Israeli aggression since October 7, 2023, with the number of documented martyrs reaching 72,051. The sources indicated that the number of injured has risen to 171,706, amid a near-complete collapse of the health system and the harsh humanitarian conditions faced by displaced persons in various areas of the Strip.

Field reports stated that hospitals received only two martyrs and 15 injuries during the past twenty-four hours, a number that does not reflect the actual reality due to the large number of victims under the rubble and in the streets. Relief teams confirm that the occupation forces deliberately prevent ambulances and civil defense from reaching targeted areas, which prevents the recovery of the missing and portends a continuous increase in the final list of victims.

In additional statistical details, sources revealed that 591 martyrs have fallen and 1,598 others have been injured since last October 11, a period that witnessed escalation despite talks of certain understandings. Field teams, despite limited capabilities and destroyed infrastructure, were able to recover the bodies of 726 martyrs who had fallen in previous periods of the aggression, in a mission described as extremely difficult and dangerous.

Gaza health officials stressed that the occupation's continued detention of bodies and prevention of access to them constitutes a flagrant violation of international conventions and basic human rights. Official bodies called on the international community to intervene immediately to open safe humanitarian corridors and facilitate the work of rescue teams, warning of catastrophic health and environmental consequences as a result of the martyrs' bodies remaining under the rubble for long periods.

There are large numbers of victims still in the streets and under the rubble of destroyed buildings, as the occupation forces prevent rescue teams from reaching them.