The death toll in the war-torn Gaza Strip has risen to 71,800 since the conflict between Hamas and Israel erupted on Oct 7, 2023, with the number of injuries reaching 171,555, Gaza's health authorities said on Monday.
In the past 24 hours, hospitals in Gaza received five more bodies and four injured patients, the authorities said.
A large number of victims are still reportedly buried under the debris of destroyed buildings but due to safety conditions, emergency and civil defense teams have not been able to reach some sites.
On Monday, the first group of wounded and ill Palestinians crossed from the Gaza Strip into Egypt, marking a key step in the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire.
Palestinian sources said five patients, accompanied by 10 relatives or caregivers, were transported from southern Gaza into Egypt for medical treatment. While the agreement facilitates two-way movement, no Palestinians have yet re-entered the enclave from the Egyptian side.
The movement follows the partial reopening of the Rafah crossing, Gaza's sole gateway to the outside world not controlled by Israel. The terminal had remained largely shuttered since Israeli forces seized the Palestinian side of the border in May 2024, a move that deepened the humanitarian crisis for Gaza's 2.3 million residents.
The crossing reopened on a trial basis on Sunday before expanding operations on Monday under the terms stipulated for the second phase of a U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire.
Under the current arrangement, approximately 150 Palestinians are permitted to exit Gaza daily, and up to 50 Palestinians are allowed to enter the enclave from Egypt.
Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 71,800: health authorities
