Gaza toll climbs as ground offensive expands
The Gaza health ministry, administered by the Hamas authorities, reports that more than 66,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, with 168,162 wounded. In the past 24 hours, the ministry counted 79 new deaths across Gaza, underscoring the continuing human cost of the conflict. The figures cited by the health ministry are considered credible by the United Nations, though independent verification is hampered by restrictions on press access in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli ground assault deepens in Gaza City
Israeli tanks have penetrated residential districts of Gaza City, including Sabra, Tel Al-Hawa, Sheikh Radwan, and Al-Naser. Witnesses and local doctors describe intensified incursions that bring fighting closer to the heart of the city and its western neighborhoods, where hundreds of thousands have sought refuge. Israel’s ground operation in Gaza City began on Sept. 16 after weeks of heavy air strikes that displaced many residents, even as others remained in place to endure the bombardment.
Casualty toll and verification
The death toll remains a focal point of international concern. While the UN regards the Gaza health figures as reliable, the inability of international media to operate freely in Gaza complicates independent confirmation. The numbers reflect the toll since the Oct. 7, 2023 attack and the ensuing Israeli campaign.
Global responses: protests and humanitarian efforts
Berlin demonstrations and European debate
In Berlin, tens of thousands demonstrated in solidarity with Gaza, calling for an end to the war and for basic humanitarian rights such as food and water access. Police estimated around 60,000 participants, though organizers claimed up to 100,000, with the peaceful march culminating at a site near the Colonne. The protest signals shifting sentiment across Europe as concerns over the humanitarian situation in Gaza intensify.
New humanitarian flotilla sails from Sicily
A new “Freedom Flotilla” fleet, comprised of ten ships and around 60 people from 15 nationalities, departed from the port of Catania, Sicily. Organizers say the mission—carrying medical supplies, dry food, and school materials—aims to break the Gaza blockade and support civilians. The flotilla is coordinated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) and Thousand Madleens to Gaza (TMTG) and is expected to join other vessels in the region as part of a broader Global Sumud Flotilla effort. Activists emphasized that governments should provide protection and facilitate humanitarian access, not merely vocal support.
Diplomatic voices and cultural support
Public figures and artists have urged governments to safeguard flotillas and maintain consulary protections for nationals aboard ships heading to Gaza. French actress Adèle Haenel briefly joined the mission but left the flotilla due to engine trouble on her vessel. Despite setbacks, her message echoed a broader call for immediate action to end the blockade and save lives. Meanwhile, about 140 artists, including public figures like Zaho de Sagazan and Angèle, urged European authorities to defend humanitarian convoys and press for relief corridors.
West Bank and international diplomacy
Destruction in the West Bank
In the West Bank, Israeli forces destroyed the home of a Palestinian accused of a Jerusalem-area attack, affecting nearby homes and leaving visible debris. Local authorities condemned the action as part of a broader cycle of collective punishment, while the Palestinian health ministry in the occupied territories reports ongoing fatalities tied to ongoing Israeli operations. Since Oct. 7, the death toll in the West Bank has reached hundreds, contributing to the overall regional toll.
Diplomacy and visa actions
At the United Nations, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Israel of threatening regional stability and criticized Western moves against Iran. In New York, a pro-Palestinian demonstration featured figures such as Colombia’s president Gustavo Petro, who drew U.S. visa scrutiny over his remarks. The episode underscored how international diplomacy and public opinion are intertwining amid the Gaza crisis.
What comes next
As the Gaza conflict evolves with a renewed ground push and growing humanitarian pressure, the global community faces a critical test: how to secure humanitarian access and achieve a lasting ceasefire while navigating divergent political agendas. The current numbers from Gaza’s health ministry reflect a devastating reality for civilians, and while they guide aid efforts, independent verification remains challenging in a restricted environment. Civil society groups, flotillas, and protests continue to push for greater accountability and relief for those affected.
