GAZA CITY — More than 66,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s military campaign in the Gaza Strip, according to the territory’s health ministry.
In its daily update Sunday, the ministry reported a total of 66,005 deaths and 168,162 injuries since the war began. Seventy-nine people were reported killed in the past 24 hours.
The figures do not include thousands of missing individuals feared to be buried under the rubble of bombed buildings. Hospital records indicate that the majority of victims are women and children.
While the numbers have not been independently verified, they are considered credible by the United Nations and humanitarian organizations.
Israeli strikes continue as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits Washington, where he is expected to meet President Donald Trump on Monday. The U.S. has recently expressed cautious optimism about prospects for a cease-fire.
The war erupted following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which killed about 1,200 people and resulted in the abduction of 250 hostages. Roughly 20 hostages are believed to still be alive in Gaza, while around 150 have been returned to Israel.