Gaza death toll nears 74,000 as Israeli strikes continue, says Health Ministry

The Palestinian death toll in Gaza has climbed to nearly 74,000, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, as Israeli military operations and deadly incidents continue despite a ceasefire that began in October 2025.

The latest figures released by Gaza health authorities put the cumulative death toll at 73,821, while the number of injured has reached 174,897 since the conflict began on October 7, 2023. The ministry said the figures could rise further because many victims remain trapped beneath destroyed buildings or in areas that rescue teams have been unable to reach.

The staggering numbers underline the continuing human cost of the conflict, which has devastated Gaza’s residential areas and severely damaged its health and emergency infrastructure.

Recent incidents have added to the toll. On September 16, a war-damaged residential building in Gaza City collapsed while displaced families were sheltering inside. Reuters reported that at least 20 Palestinians, including six children, were killed, while others were injured and several people were believed to remain trapped under the rubble. Rescue workers faced shortages of heavy equipment while searching the wreckage.

The collapse also highlighted the dangers faced by Palestinians living in damaged buildings after large-scale destruction across the territory. The Associated Press reported that thousands of structures have been left vulnerable, while reconstruction has remained limited and many families have had few safe housing alternatives.

Meanwhile, Israeli strikes and other violent incidents have continued despite the ceasefire. Reuters reported that at least three Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes on September 19, including Basir Al-Bursh, the son of Gaza Health Ministry Director-General Munir Al-Bursh. The Israeli military said it had targeted militants, while details surrounding the incident remained limited.

The Gaza Health Ministry has repeatedly warned that its reported death toll is not necessarily final. Bodies remain beneath collapsed structures, while shortages of equipment and difficult access have prevented rescue teams from recovering all victims. Its September 17 report specifically said some victims remained under rubble and on the streets.

The humanitarian situation has also been compounded by widespread displacement, damaged housing and pressure on medical services. Recent reporting has described families living in unsafe structures or temporary shelters as reconstruction efforts remain stalled.

With the reported death toll now approaching 74,000, the scale of Gaza’s losses continues to grow, while the number of missing people and unrecovered bodies means the full human cost of the war may remain unknown for some time.