More than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, the territory’s Health Ministry says
Associated Press
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The Health Ministry in Gaza says more than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war. The announcement on Thursday comes as new efforts are underway to broker a cease-fire to the conflict, now in its 11th month. The ministry’s count does not distinguish between civilians and militants. It reflects the magnitude of Israel’s offensive in Gaza, one of the most devastating military campaigns in recent history. The war began on Oct. 7 after Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages with them to Gaza.