Gaza Death Toll Exceeds 69,000 as Hostage Remains Exchanged, West Bank Violence Escalates
More than 69,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war to date, according to Gaza health officials, as the latest exchange of remains concluded and violence flared in the occupied West Bank.
The rising death toll reflects the ongoing recovery of bodies from the devastated Gaza Strip since the ceasefire began on October 10, as well as deaths resulting from Israeli strikes targeting militants. Israel returned the remains of another 15 Palestinians to Gaza today, following yesterday’s return of the remains of Lior Rudaeff, an Israeli hostage born in Argentina, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. The exchanges are central to the ceasefire’s initial phase, which prioritizes the return of all hostage remains. Families continue to rally for the full return of their loved ones.
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers carried out two attacks on Palestinian farmers and others during the annual olive harvest, a period that has seen a significant increase in settler violence this year. According to Palestinian health officials, 11 people were injured in an attack in the town of Beita, including journalists, medics, and international activists. The U.N. reported over 260 settler attacks in October alone – the highest number since records began in 2006. This surge in violence threatens the livelihoods of Palestinian farmers and complicates efforts to maintain stability in the region. Reuters reported that two of their journalists were injured during the attacks, further highlighting the dangers faced by those reporting from the area.
Gaza’s Health Ministry, which maintains detailed records considered reliable by independent experts, stated that 284 deaths were added to the total after identities were verified between October 31 and November 7, and 241 people have been killed since the ceasefire began. The ministry also noted a large number of Palestinians remain missing. Israeli military officials reported killing two militants who approached troops in northern and southern Gaza. For every Israeli hostage returned, Israel is releasing the remains of 15 Palestinians, but matching remains to families is hampered by limited resources, as explained by Ahmed Dheir, director of forensic medicine at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Human Rights Watch has documented a pattern of impunity for settler violence in the West Bank.
Officials say the exchanges will continue as part of the ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
