Gaza death toll passes 48,300 as more bodies found in rubble

Civil defense teams search for bodies under the rubble of buildings destroyed by Israeli attacks with inefficient tools as Israeli blockade prevents the entry of appropriate equipment to remove the rubble in Jabalia, Gaza on February 19, 2025. [Hasan N. H. Alzaanin – Anadolu Agency]

Palestinian medics and rescue teams have recovered 22 more bodies from the rubble in the Gaza Strip, bringing the overall death toll from Israel’s genocidal war since October 2023 to 48,319, the Health Ministry said on Thursday.

The ministry pointed out that 16 injured people were also admitted to hospitals in the past 24 hours, taking the number of the wounded by the Israeli genocide to 111,749, Anadolu has reported.

“Many victims are still missing under the rubble and on the roads as rescuers are unable to reach them,” added the ministry.

A ceasefire agreement has been in place in Gaza since 19 January, halting the Israeli war that has caused widespread destruction and left the Palestinian enclave in ruins. Despite the ceasefire, though, the local authorities in Gaza have reported almost daily about ceasefire violations by the Israeli army.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November last year for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war against Palestinians in the enclave.

READ: Palestinian church leaders urge global action for justice amid ongoing Gaza crisis

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