The death toll from Israel's military operation among the population of Palestine's Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, has exceeded 43,500 people, the Palestinian Health Ministry said.
"As a result of the ongoing Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, the number of people killed has reached 43,508 and 102,684 were wounded," the ministry said.
Women and children make up some 70% of those killed in the Gaza Strip since October 2023, the United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) said on Friday.
"The UN Human Rights Office has been verifying the personal details of those killed in Gaza by strikes, shelling and other conduct of hostilities. Of those fatalities, it has so far found close to 70 per cent to be children and women, indicating a systematic violation of the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law, including distinction and proportionality," the OHCHR said in a press statement.
About 80% of the casualties occurred in residential homes or dwellings, the OHCHR added.
On October 7, 2023, Israel was subjected to an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. In addition, fighters of Palestinian movement Hamas infiltrated the border areas, opened fire on the military and civilians and took hostages. Israeli authorities say that about 1,200 people were killed during the raid. In response, the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Iron Swords in the Gaza Strip and announced a complete blockade of the enclave.