The report highlights that the majority of these young victims were innocent students, with 64 additional schoolchildren killed in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
The Ministry's report underscores the severe impact of the conflict on Gaza's civilian population, particularly women and children, who have borne the brunt of the violence. International protests condemning the Israeli actions in Gaza have erupted globally, reflecting widespread outrage and solidarity with the Palestinian victims.
The United Nations and human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have repeatedly condemned the ongoing violence, labeling it as genocidal. In addition to aerial bombardments and missile strikes, the Israeli regime has been accused of using starvation tactics and obstructing the delivery of essential food and medical supplies to the besieged region.
The humanitarian crisis has forced over one million Palestinians to flee their homes in Rafah, seeking refuge from the relentless attacks. Amidst this backdrop, Ghazi Hamad, a senior member of Hamas's political bureau, criticized U.S. President Joe Biden's proposed ceasefire plan. The plan, announced last Friday, includes a three-phase process for ending the conflict, which Hamas has firmly opposed, insisting on its right to remain a part of Gaza's political landscape.
Hamad's comments came in response to Biden's announcement of a new "three-phase map" to cease hostilities. The proposed ceasefire plan entails an exchange of hostages, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the reconstruction of Gaza. However, the proposal calls for the removal of Hamas from power, a condition Hamas rejects.
"The Hamas movement will never leave Gaza's political environment," Hamad asserted, denouncing the proposal as a distraction intended to prolong the violence.
Since the offensive began on October 7, approximately 36,479 Palestinians have been killed, most of them women and children, with another 82,777 injured. The conflict has resulted in the internal displacement of over 1.7 million people, further exacerbating the humanitarian disaster in Gaza.
As the conflict continues, the international community remains vigilant, calling for an immediate end to the violence and the establishment of a lasting peace for the people of Gaza
