WAR TOLL TOPS 55,000

MANY MORE BELIEVED TO BE BURIED UNDER RUBBLE OR IN CUT-OFF AREAS

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The Palestinian death toll from the 20-month Israel-Hamas war has climbed past 55,000, the Gaza Health Ministry said yesterday.

The ministry doesn't distinguish between civilians and combatants, but has said that women and children make up more than half the dead.

It's a grim milestone in the war that began with Hamas' attack into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, and shows no sign of ending. Israel says it only targets militants and blames civilian deaths on Hamas, accusing the militants of hiding among civilians, because they operate in populated areas.

90% Gazans displaced