The Gaza Strip has seen over 900 people killed in Israeli attacks in 2026, according to the Hamas-run Ministry of Health, a figure that rises to more than 1,300 deaths since the ceasefire in October 2025. These numbers include 301 children and are far more than the 100‑plus deaths recorded in each month from April to August.
The ceasefire, brokered by former President Donald Trump’s 20‑point plan, called for a suspension of all military operations. Yet Israeli air and drone strikes have continued, targeting beachfront cafés, police headquarters, and even funeral processions. The Ministry attributes all deaths directly to Israeli military action but does not separate civilians from combatants.
Independent analysts and humanitarian organisations, including UN agencies, corroborate the ministry’s figures. UNICEF reports more than 300 children have died since the ceasefire, and the Aid Worker Security Database records 22 humanitarian staff killed by Israeli fire in Gaza.
While the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claims it is operating with precision to avoid civilian harm, it has admitted only five of its soldiers were killed since the ceasefire. The IDF asserts it is “committed” to the agreement and has reportedly killed hundreds of Hamas operatives. Yet a review by Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) shows around 200 Israeli strikes targeting Hamas fighters, including commanders involved in the 2023 attacks.
Airwars, an independent civilian casualty tracker, found 60 fatal incidents in July alone, the highest ever recorded since the ceasefire, reinforcing the rising number of civilian tragedies.
The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs notes the data is reliable, and experts say their analysis aligns with the ministry’s accounts. The persistent violence casts doubt on the functioning of the ceasefire and highlights a “central stumbling block” in international peace‑building efforts.
July’s deadliest single incident involved a strike on a funeral procession in Nuseirat, killing seven and injuring 22, as verified by Al‑Awda Hospital and captured footage. A separate airstrike on a high‑rise block on 2 August resulted in the loss of a pregnant woman, her husband, and their young son.
These events underscore the stark human cost of the ongoing conflict and the urgent need for a realistic security arrangement that protects civilians while addressing security concerns.
For more on the counting of casualties in Gaza, see BBC’s related coverage.
Investigation requests can be sent to BBC Verify.
