The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza reported on Sunday (August 18, 2024) that the death toll in the Palestinian territory has surpassed 40,099 during more than 10 months of conflict with Israel.
Out of the total, 25 fatalities occurred within the last 24 hours, as per the ministry’s data. Additionally, the figures indicate that 92,609 individuals have been injured in the Gaza Strip since the commencement of the war following a violent attack by Hamas militants on Israel on October 7.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a bid to facilitate a cease-fire agreement in Gaza. Hamas has refused Israel’s demands for a permanent military presence along the Gaza-Egypt border and a demarcation line within Gaza where Israeli forces would conduct searches on Palestinians returning to their residences. Israel argues that both measures are necessary to prevent militants from rearming and resuming hostilities in the northern region.
