Six months ago, a devastating conflict erupted in Gaza, leaving behind a catastrophic toll on human lives. According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, at least 33,175 people have lost their lives in the besieged Palestinian territory as a result of Israel’s retaliation for the Hamas attack on October 7.
Israeli Losses
In response to the Hamas attack, Israel suffered significant losses, with 1,170 Israelis and foreigners, mostly civilians, losing their lives, as reported by AFP. The Israeli army has stated that it lost around 600 troops during the conflict, with 260 of them killed in Gaza itself since the ground invasion began on October 27. Additionally, violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank claimed the lives of seventeen Israelis, including soldiers, settlers, and civilians.
Palestinian Losses
The majority of the casualties in Gaza have been women and children, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The Israeli military claims to have “eliminated” 12,000 enemy fighters in Gaza, including high-ranking commanders. In the occupied West Bank, at least 459 Palestinians have been killed in the violence, with Israel claiming to have “eliminated 420 terrorists” in its operations there.
Impact on Lebanon and Syria
Beyond Gaza, the conflict has spilled over into Lebanon and Syria. Israeli airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 359 people in Lebanon, predominantly Hezbollah fighters, along with the displacement of tens of thousands of civilians. Additionally, Israeli strikes in Syria have killed 23 Hezbollah fighters and seven Iranian Revolutionary Guards.
Military Operations and Casualties
Israel has conducted extensive military operations during the conflict, striking thousands of targets in Gaza from the air and deploying artillery, rockets, and tanks. The military has reported 3,100 rockets fired into Israel from Lebanon and 35 from Syria.
The conflict has exacted a heavy toll on both sides, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence. The true extent of the devastation and loss of life underscores the urgent need for a lasting and peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in the region.
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