Over 64,000 Palestinians Killed in Gaza Conflict as Ceasefire Talks Stall

More than 64,000 Palestinians have been killed in the nearly two-year war in the Gaza Strip, local health officials reported on Thursday. The ongoing conflict, sparked by Hamas’s 2023 attack on Israel, continues to take a devastating toll amid repeated attempts at ceasefire negotiations.

Israeli strikes killed 28 people overnight and into Thursday, mostly women and children, as Israeli forces advanced in the initial stages of a planned offensive targeting Gaza City — the most populous city in the region. Hospitals in Gaza reported receiving multiple casualties, including a 10-day-old baby killed in strikes on tents housing displaced residents.

Hamas announced it is willing to release all 48 hostages it still holds—around 20 believed alive to Israel—in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, reopening of border crossings, and rebuilding efforts. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office dismissed the offer as “spin,” stating the war would continue until all hostages were freed, Hamas was disarmed, and Israel retained full security control.

Ceasefire talks broke down last month when US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff blamed Hamas and ended negotiations. Although Hamas later agreed to a proposal reportedly similar to an earlier offer accepted by Israel, there has been no public indication of resumed talks.

Local Gaza hospitals reported the harrowing impact of continued bombings, with Shifa Hospital alone admitting 25 bodies, including nine children and six women, while Nasser Hospital noted three additional deaths in southern Gaza. The Israeli military claims it targets militants and avoids civilian harm, accusing Hamas of embedding fighters in densely populated areas.

Since the conflict began, Gaza’s Health Ministry says 64,231 Palestinians have died, including about half who were women and children. These numbers, provided by a Hamas-run ministry staffed by medical professionals, are accepted by UN agencies despite Israel disputing the figures without offering alternate counts. Meanwhile, Hamas militants killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and abducted 251 in their October 7, 2023 attack, with most hostages since released.