Israeli Official Reportedly Accepts Hamas Death Toll Figure for Gaza War
Israeli media reported that a senior security source stated the military accepts that more than 70,000 Palestinians have been killed during the war in Gaza. The figure, initially provided by the Hamas-run health ministry, had previously been met with skepticism by Israel, but has been deemed reliable by the UN and other human rights groups, and widely cited by international media, according to BBC News.
The war began following the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the capture of 251 hostages, BBC News reported. Israel responded with a military campaign in Gaza, during which much of the region has been reduced to rubble, according to Reuters.
The acceptance of the death toll figure marks a potential shift in Israel's stance on the impact of the conflict. While the report did not include direct quotes from the security source, it indicated a growing acknowledgement of the scale of casualties within Gaza.
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