Gaza death toll passes 68,000; Israel kills more, violating ceasefire

Gaza City: More than 68,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war, Gaza's Health Ministry said on Saturday, the Associated Press reported.

The ministry said the number of dead has climbed since the ceasefire went into effect more than a week ago.

The majority of the newly counted dead bodies have been found during recovery efforts under the rubble.

Further, Israeli forces have killed 11 members of a Palestinian family in Gaza, marking the deadliest single violation of the fragile ceasefire since it came into effect eight days ago.

The attack occurred on Friday evening when a tank shell struck a civilian vehicle carrying the Abu Shaaban family in the Zeitoun neighbourhood of Gaza City, according to Gaza’s civil defence. Seven children and three women were among those killed as the family attempted to return home to inspect it, civil defence spokesperson Mahmoud Basal said.

“They could have been warned or dealt with differently,” Basal said, adding that the incident “confirms that the occupation is still thirsty for blood and insists on committing crimes against innocent civilians.”

Hamas condemned the attack as a “massacre,” asserting that the family was targeted without justification, and called on United States President Donald Trump and mediators to pressure Israel to uphold the ceasefire agreement.

The incident occurred as Israeli soldiers opened fire on people who crossed the so-called “yellow line,” the demarcation from which Israel was supposed to withdraw under the ceasefire terms.

Many Palestinians lack internet access and are unaware of Israeli positions along the demarcation lines, putting families at risk. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has stated that the yellow lines will soon be clearly marked.