Palestinian death toll in Gaza war rises above 74,000

The war in Gaza began almost three years ago (Jehad Alshrafi/AP)

The Palestinian death toll from the almost three-year Israel-Hamas war has surpassed 74,000, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

While a ceasefire which took effect last October 10 has halted the heaviest fighting, Israeli strikes have continued in what the military has said are responses to threats or attacks.

The health ministry said 74,016 Palestinians have been killed so far, with another 175,068 wounded.

The war erupted on October 7, 2023 when Hamas-led militants invaded Israel, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 others hostage.

Since the ceasefire, 1,145 Palestinians have been killed, said the ministry, which is part of the Hamas-led government.

The health ministry maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by UN agencies and international organisations. It does not distinguish between civilians and militants, but says women and children make up around half the toll.

Meanwhile, seven Israeli soldiers have been killed since the ceasefire.

Other aspects of the US-brokered ceasefire remain largely stalled. Israeli forces now control over half of the Palestinian territory, Hamas has not disarmed, a new Palestinian government has not arrived and reconstruction has not yet begun.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israeli forces will not withdraw until Hamas disarms.