More than 55,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel-Hamas war, Gaza health officials say Deir al-Balah (Gaza Strip)
Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip —
More than 55,000 Palestinians have died in the Israel-Hamas war, according to Gaza health officials. The war has also injured over 127,000 people. Women and children make up most of the casualties. The war, now in its 20th month, continues to devastate the region.
Airstrikes, ground operations, and blockades have turned Gaza into a disaster zone. Most of the injured cannot receive proper treatment due to the overwhelmed health system. Families live in rubble. Aid barely reaches those in need.
Civilians Face Heavy Toll
Israeli strikes have hit residential areas, markets, and schools. Gaza’s Health Ministry says 70% of those killed are women and children. The violence has spared no one.
Dr. Mahmoud Abu Zaid, a trauma surgeon in Deir al-Balah, said, “We treat more than we can handle. People arrive every hour. Many don’t survive the journey.”
Israel says its forces target Hamas militants. But aid agencies and rights groups say the strikes often hit crowded civilian zones. Hamas denies placing its forces among civilians.
Deir al-Balah Becomes a Shelter
In central Gaza, Deir al-Balah has turned into a shelter for thousands of displaced Palestinians. They fled bombed-out cities like Rafah and Gaza City. Tents fill the streets. Crowds gather at UN shelters that no longer have space.
There is no clean water. Food comes once every few days. Hospitals have run out of basic supplies. Aid agencies warn that famine could hit parts of Gaza soon.
Samira, a 12-year-old girl who lost her parents in an airstrike, now lives with her grandmother. “We eat only when food comes,” her grandmother said. “Samira cries every night. She hasn’t smiled in months.”
Deadly Attacks Near Aid Sites
On June 11, Israeli forces killed at least 41 people near an aid station, according to Gaza’s civil defense. Earlier that week, over 60 others died trying to reach food trucks.
Israel claims militants hid among civilians. But aid groups question those claims. They say people were there for food, not war. The World Food Programme and Doctors Without Borders condemned the killings.
“These are hungry people,” said a field worker with the International Rescue Committee. “They stood in line for food, not to fight. Shooting them cannot be justified.”
Calls for a Ceasefire Grow
World leaders have called for a ceasefire. The United Nations recently passed a resolution urging an urgent humanitarian pause. Aid must reach Gaza, and civilians need protection, the resolution said.
The United States has urged Israel to act with restraint. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “Israel has the right to defend itself, but it must avoid civilian deaths.”
So far, peace talks have made little progress. Hamas and Israel both demand conditions the other side rejects. Meanwhile, the civilian death toll rises every day.
Trauma for Gaza’s Children
Children in Gaza are suffering deep psychological wounds. UNICEF reports that over 80% of Gaza’s children now show signs of severe emotional distress.
Schools are closed. Parks are gone. Many children no longer speak. “They’ve seen death. Their homes have vanished. Their families are gone,” said Dr. Hiba Saleh, a mental health expert. “We try to help, but trauma needs time, and these children don’t have time.”
UNICEF and Save the Children have urged emergency funding to support Gaza’s youth. They stress the long-term risks of ignoring a generation growing up in war.
What Lies Ahead?
The war has already claimed more than 55,000 lives. It has injured more than 127,000. Entire cities lie in ruins. Aid efforts fall short. Gaza’s hospitals are breaking. Families live without food, shelter, or safety.
Peace remains distant. Trust has eroded. Gaza stands on the edge of collapse. If the fighting doesn’t stop soon, the world may witness an even greater tragedy.
