Gaza death toll surpasses 69,000

Health officials in Gaza said Saturday that more than 69,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, as both sides continued exchanging bodies under a shaky ceasefire agreement.

The increase in casualties comes as additional bodies are recovered from the rubble across Gaza and previously unidentified victims are confirmed. The latest handover saw Israel return 15 Palestinian bodies to Gaza, a day after militants gave back the remains of an Israeli hostage.

The exchange of remains forms part of the first phase of the truce, which began on Oct. 10, and aims to de-escalate the conflict that erupted after Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, which killed about 1,200 people and led to 251 hostages being taken.

Gaza's Health Ministry, which maintains detailed records widely regarded as credible, said that 284 more names have recently been verified, pushing the total to 69,169. Officials said 241 people have been killed since the truce began, while hundreds remain missing.

Israel confirmed that the body returned Friday was that of Lior Rudaeff, an Israeli hostage who died during the initial Hamas assault. For each Israeli hostage's remains, Israel has been releasing 15 Palestinians' bodies. So far, militants have returned 23 Israeli remains, while Israel has handed over 300 Palestinians' bodies, of which 89 have been identified.

Meanwhile, violence flared in the occupied West Bank, where Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers, journalists, and medics during the olive harvest. At least 11 people were injured in one assault in Beita, witnesses said, describing settlers armed with clubs and rocks.

Rights groups say prosecutions for settler violence are extremely rare, reinforcing fears of growing lawlessness across the West Bank even as Gaza mourns its mounting losses.