More than 900 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli strikes in Gaza this year, despite a ceasefire agreed on 10 October, according to the Hamas‑run Ministry of Health. The figures bring the total number of people lost in the Strip since the truce to over 1,300, with 301 children among those dead. The ministry reports the toll grows each month, with more than 100 deaths recorded for each month from April to August.
Israel’s ruling party signed a 20‑point ceasefire framework delivered by President Trump, which called for a halt of all military operations, including air and artillery bombardment. Yet Israeli Defense Forces continue daily air and drone strikes, targeting what they claim are Hamas commanders. The Ministry of Health asserts all deaths listed are linked to these attacks but does not distinguish civilian from combatant casualties.
Independent groups such as Airwars and the conflict monitoring group ACLED have confirmed a significant number of strikes during the ceasefire, estimating around 200 Israeli attacks killing militant operatives. Meanwhile, UN agencies and UNICEF report more than 300 children have been killed, calling the child casualties "absurd and devastating". UNICEF also confirmed attacks on aid workers, including the fatal shooting of two water‑truck drivers in April.
BBC Verify examines dozens of videos from the ceasefire period, revealing scenes of beachside café strikes, police headquarters hit and a funeral procession that suffered high casualties. While the IDF states they target enemies and mitigate civilian harm, many civilians, especially children, remain trapped in the crossfire, fostering doubts about the true effectiveness of the truce.
The discrepancy between the Ministry of Health’s numbers and the Israeli Ministry’s claims highlights an enduring conflict over casualty reporting. Global monitors have found the health ministry’s figures consistent with independent research, pointing to a pattern of escalating civilian injuries since October.
