Gaza death toll surges to 55,432 killed, 128,923 injured

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: The Palestinian Ministry of Health
16 Jun 2025 16:58
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The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza reports over 55,000 martyrs and 128,000 injuries since October 2023, highlighting a surge in casualties during aid distribution amid Israeli attacks.

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Ata Qasas, center left, mourns over the body of his son Rashad Qasas, who was killed while heading to an aid distribution hub, during his funeral in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Wednesday, June 11, 2025 (AP)

The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza announced that hospitals received the bodies of 68 martyrs, including two retrieved from under the rubble, and 182 injuries over the past 24 hours. Many victims remain trapped beneath debris and along roads, unreachable due to continued bombardment.

Since October 7, 2023, the death toll of the Israeli genocide in Gaza has surged to 55,432 Palestinians killed and 128,923 injured. Since the collapse of the ceasefire on March 18, the ministry documented 5,139 martyrs and 16,882 injuries.

Hundreds of casualties at aid distribution sites

Moreover, as the Israeli-made famine looms over Gaza, 38 starving Palestinians were killed and over 182 were injured while trying to receive aid at designated aid distribution sites and were later transported to hospitals as per the ministry report. 338 Palestinians have been killed and over 2,831 sustained injuries in similar attacks at sites for humanitarian aid.

In a preliminary count, the Red Cross field hospital reported 20 martyrs and over 200 injuries, including 50 critical cases, as a result of Israeli attacks since the early hours of Monday.

Meanwhile, Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza reported three martyrs in the bombing of Wadi al-Arais street in Shujaiya, Gaza City, bringing the total to 43 Palestinians killed since dawn, including 26 seeking humanitarian aid.

Scenes of the daily journey of suffering & humiliation endured by 1000s of Gaza residents, starved by the israelis & driven into US firing squads pic.twitter.com/9iw9PR7Nu8
— Sarah Wilkinson (@swilkinsonbc) June 16, 2025

Urgent call to protect hospitals, civilians

Moreover, the Health Ministry issued a statement strongly denouncing the Israeli targeting of the Red Cross field hospital in al-Mawasi in Khan Younis, stressing that such attacks place both patients and medical staff at risk.

With operational hospitals overwhelmed, the Ministry has urgently called for the reopening of the European Gaza Hospital to accommodate the growing number of casualties.

It also condemned the continued targeting of civilians, hospitals, and patients receiving treatment, appealing to all relevant authorities to create safe, effective mechanisms for humanitarian aid distribution that safeguard civilians' lives.

The Ministry also called on relevant organizations to protect healthcare facilities, medical personnel, and patients.