Gaza Conflict: Death Toll Surpasses 40,000 as Ceasefire Talks Resume

16.08.24

Makhosethu Ndlovu

The catastrophic conflict in Gaza has claimed the lives of over 40,000 Palestinians, including at least 16,456 children and more than 11,000 women, since hostilities began on October 7. The Gaza Health Ministry has announced that nearly 10,000 Palestinians listed as missing are feared to be buried under the rubble.

As the death toll continues to mount, a new round of ceasefire negotiations commenced in Doha, Qatar, today attended by senior Israeli officials and mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States. The talks aim to bring an end to the conflict, which has seen the destruction of two-thirds of the buildings across the Gaza Strip, according to the United Nations.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels, with widespread famine and the outbreak of life-threatening diseases such as polio. The World Health Organization’s Regional Director, Hannan Balkhy, has appealed for a temporary ceasefire to facilitate critical health initiatives, warning that failure to do so may result in the unchecked spread of the virus, potentially transcending national borders.