More than 900 killed in Gaza this year despite ceasefire, Hamas-run health ministry says

What Happened

The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry reported that over 900 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the beginning of 2024, despite a ceasefire agreement established on 10 October 2023 under a 20-point peace plan. The ministry states that total fatalities since the ceasefire began exceed 1,300, including 301 children. While the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) disputes these figures and maintains it operates in a precise manner to mitigate civilian harm, independent analysis by the UN and the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (Acled) project confirms continued Israeli air and drone strikes. Acled recorded approximately 200 Israeli strikes during the ceasefire period, which the IDF characterizes as targeted operations against Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad operatives.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The persistence of lethal military operations despite a formal ceasefire agreement undermines the stability of the current peace framework. Analysts suggest that the continued high casualty rate, particularly among civilians, acts as a central stumbling block for international diplomatic efforts to maintain the truce and implement the broader peace plan.

Watch For

Monitor for further diplomatic reactions from international mediators regarding the viability of the 20-point peace plan and potential adjustments to military engagement protocols by the IDF in response to international criticism of civilian casualties.