More than half of those killed by Israel are women, children, and elderly: Health Ministry

The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza on Tuesday said that 60,034 Palestinians have been killed since 7 October 2023, adding that more than half of those killed are civilians from vulnerable groups. The breakdown is as follows: 18,592 children (30.8 percent); 9,782 women (16.3 percent) and an estimated 7.3 percent are elderly individuals.

In total, these groups account for approximately 55 percent of the fatalities, which highlights the scale of "direct and unjustified targeting of civilians" by Israeli forces, the ministry says. 

The statement comes amid growing international outrage over Israel's complete blockade of aid, which has led to starvation in Gaza, with hospitals overwhelmed and malnutrition killing over 100 Palestinians so far.