More than 55,000 Palestinians killed in Israel-Hamas war, health officials say

A two-and-a-half-month blockade imposed by Israel when it ended a ceasefire with Hamas raised fears of famine and was slightly eased in May.

Palestinians carry bags containing food and humanitarian aid (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP)

The Palestinian death toll from the 20-month Israel-Hamas war has climbed past 55,000, the Gaza Health Ministry said on Wednesday.

The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants, but has said that women and children make up more than half the dead.