Harare, (New Ziana) — The death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to 70,360, most of them women and children, since the start of the Israeli military campaign on the enclave in October 2023, a senior Palestinian embassy official has said.
Palestinian ambassador to Zimbabwe Dr Tamer Almassri said on Monday six more Palestinians had been killed and 17 others injured in the past 24 hours as Israeli forces continue to carry out airstrikes despite an officially declared ceasefire.
“The death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to 703,60, most of them women and children, since the start of the Israeli military campaign on the enclave in October 2023. According to the latest updates, six more Palestinians have been killed and 17 injured in the past 24 hours as Israeli forces continue to carry out airstrikes despite an officially declared ceasefire.
“The continued bombardment has further strained an already dire humanitarian situation. With the onset of harsh winter conditions, millions of displaced Palestinians are now exposed to freezing temperatures, lacking adequate shelter, heating, and functioning infrastructure. Aid agencies warn that the combination of conflict and severe weather threatens to push mortality figures even higher,” he said.
Ambassador Almassri condemned Israel’s military actions during what is supposed to be a truce, warning that the collapse of essential services—electricity, medical care, water systems, and sanitation—could cause more deaths from exposure, disease, and starvation than from direct attacks.
“The convergence of relentless bombardment and the breakdown of vital services at the height of winter risks dramatically increasing the death toll beyond combat-related casualties,” he said before urging the international community to act swiftly to enforce the ceasefire and ensure the immediate entry of winter aid supplies into the besieged territory.
Human rights advocates and global leaders are increasingly alarmed by the situation, calling for urgent diplomatic intervention. They warn that the violation of ceasefire agreements and continued targeting of civilians constitute grave breaches of international humanitarian law.
“The world cannot remain indifferent. Decisive action is needed now to halt the military campaign in Gaza and protect innocent lives,” said the ambassador.
As temperatures drop and conditions deteriorate, aid agencies say time is running out for millions of Palestinians trapped in one of the world’s worst humanitarian emergencies.
New Ziana
