Death toll in Gaza tops 70,000 since Israel-Hamas fighting began

Health authorities in the Gaza Strip say more than 70,000 people have died since fighting between Israeli forces and the Islamic group Hamas began in October 2023.

The authorities announced on Saturday that the number of deaths has reached 70,100. They also said 354 people have died since the ceasefire went into effect on October 10.

Efforts are underway in the enclave to search and identify bodies buried under the rubble of destroyed buildings and elsewhere. Officials said on Saturday that more than 600 bodies had been recovered.

The death toll in Gaza keeps rising as the Israeli military continues sporadic attacks even after the ceasefire. Israel is accusing Hamas of violating the deal.

Palestinian media reported that two young brothers were killed on Saturday in an Israeli attack near Khan Younis in southern Gaza.

Reuters news agency cited a relative of the children as saying that the two were attacked by an Israeli drone while gathering firewood to help their father.

Also on Saturday, the Israeli military said it had "eliminated" three people in Gaza, claiming they approached and posed a threat to its troops operating in the south.

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