Death toll in Gaza since ‘ceasefire’ with Israel goes past 1,000

What Happened

Since a US-brokered ceasefire between Hamas and Israel was agreed in October, Israeli strikes across Gaza have killed 1,005 Palestinians, the Gaza Health Ministry reported on Wednesday. Major combat has subsided, but the second phase of the deal—which would involve an Israeli withdrawal and Hamas's disarmament—remains unimplemented. Israel has increased its territorial control of the enclave from 53% under the agreement to 64%, and according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Israeli forces placed yellow cement blocks to expand the so-called 'Yellow Line' westward, forcing families in eastern Gaza City to flee. Hamas political bureau member Husam Badran stated that the group will not hand over its weapons yet, deferring the decision until after comprehensive discussions with other Palestinian factions. Only 20 of the 37 hospitals in Gaza remain partially functional, with no fully functioning facilities, OCHA added.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The milestone of over 1,000 deaths since the ceasefire underscores the fragility of the halted hostilities and the failure to advance to a durable political solution. Israel's expanded territorial grip and Hamas's stance on disarmament signal that the core issues of withdrawal and demilitarisation are unresolved, prolonging the humanitarian catastrophe and raising the risk of a conflict relapse.

Watch For

Monitor whether phase‑two negotiations brokered by the US, Egypt, and Qatar will resume, and if any concrete steps toward an Israeli withdrawal or a reciprocal ceasefire commitment emerge. Watch for further displacement orders along the 'Yellow Line' and OCHA updates on hospital functionality and aid access amid the near‑total siege.