Key facts
- More than 900 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza this year, according to the Hamas-run Ministry of Health.
- The total number of deaths since the October 10 ceasefire declaration exceeds 1,300, including 301 children.
- The ceasefire agreement, part of a 20-point peace plan, included a suspension of all military operations.
- Recent months have been particularly deadly, with over 100 recorded deaths per month from April to August.
- The UN considers the health ministry's figures reliable, and independent analysis is consistent with the data.
- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) disputes the figures, stating they operate precisely and aim to mitigate civilian harm.
More than 900 individuals have been killed in Gaza this year due to Israeli attacks, despite a declared ceasefire, according to figures released by the territory's Hamas-run Ministry of Health. This brings the total fatalities since the ceasefire was implemented on October 10 to over 1,300, including 301 children.
The ceasefire was agreed upon after Hamas and Israel accepted a 20-point peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump, which stipulated a halt to all military operations. However, BBC Verify's analysis of numerous videos shows ongoing Israeli strikes impacting various locations, including cafes, tents sheltering displaced people, and a reported funeral procession.
Figures indicate that recent months have been particularly deadly, with monthly death tolls exceeding 100 between April and August. The health ministry attributes these deaths directly to Israeli military actions, a claim supported by the UN, which considers the data reliable. Independent experts' analysis is consistent with these figures.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) contests the ministry's death toll, stating there is no basis to assume all listed fatalities resulted from IDF activity. The IDF asserts it operates precisely to protect its troops and Israeli civilians while mitigating civilian harm to the greatest extent possible, in accordance with the agreement.
Conflict monitoring group Acled has recorded approximately 200 Israeli strikes during the ceasefire period, reportedly resulting in the deaths of Hamas operatives and other militants, including commanders involved in the October 7 attack. Hugh Lovatt, a fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, described the situation as a "ceasefire in name only," noting continued Israeli air and drone strikes that disproportionately affect Gaza's civilians.
BBC Verify's analysis of videos documented several incidents since the ceasefire, including strikes on a beachside cafe, a police headquarters, and a funeral procession. The IDF stated it was targeting Hamas commanders and terrorists in these instances, with measures taken to mitigate civilian harm. Strikes on an apartment block also resulted in civilian deaths, including a pregnant woman, her husband, and their son, with the IDF identifying a Hamas commander as the target.
Unicef has reported over 300 child deaths since the ceasefire, with spokesperson James Elder calling the number "absurd and devastating" and stating that a failing ceasefire cannot protect children. The organization also reported Israeli strikes on its contracted workers. The Aid Worker Security Database has recorded 22 aid workers killed in Gaza since October 10.
Independent research group Airwars noted an increase in fatal incidents and civilian harm per month since the ceasefire. Professor Michael Spagat of Royal Holloway, University of London, highlighted that the health ministry's figures are testable due to the publication of names, ages, and ID numbers, and that monthly death tolls have roughly doubled since April compared to December.