Israeli military operations in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of at least three Palestinians over the past 24 hours, Palestinian officials confirmed on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank intensified attacks on Palestinian communities, setting fires, damaging property, and wounding several residents.

Gaza Death Toll Surpasses 69,000 Amid Ongoing Conflict

Gaza’s Ministry of Health confirmed the recent killings, while the Civil Defence agency reported transferring the bodies of 35 unidentified Palestinians to al-Shifa Hospital to determine their identities. Since the conflict escalated in October 2023, the death toll in Gaza has risen to over 69,182, with more than 170,694 people wounded.

In Israel, Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, resulted in 1,139 deaths and the capture of roughly 200 people. Thousands of bodies are still buried under rubble in Gaza after two years of continued conflict, leaving families without closure.

“Families in Gaza continue visiting hospitals and morgues, trying to identify loved ones through fragments, personal belongings, and injuries,” reported Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum.

Forensic teams face severe challenges, including body decomposition and limited DNA testing equipment, leaving families in prolonged uncertainty and emotional distress.

Ceasefire Violations Continue

Despite a US-brokered ceasefire that came into effect on October 10, Israel has reportedly violated the truce at least 282 times between October 10 and November 10, through airstrikes, artillery, and shootings. According to Al Jazeera analysis, attacks occurred on 25 out of 31 days, leaving only six days without reported violence.

The United States maintains that the ceasefire is holding, even amid continued hostilities.

Humanitarian Crisis Worsens in Gaza

The ceasefire stipulated that full humanitarian aid should be allowed into Gaza. However, Israel has restricted critical supplies, including 1.6 million syringes for child vaccinations and nearly one million bottles of baby formula, citing dual-use concerns.

UNICEF reported that these delays are preventing the immunization of over 40,000 children who missed routine vaccinations during the war. Only 3,451 aid trucks reached their intended destinations in Gaza between October 10 and November 9, highlighting the severe humanitarian bottleneck.

Gaza’s electricity crisis compounds the suffering, with over 80% of the electricity network destroyed. Many residents now spend nights in complete darkness, relying on flashlights.

“For the past two years, no electricity has reached Gaza,” said Mohammed Thabet of Gaza’s electricity company.

Escalating Settler Violence in the West Bank

Meanwhile, in the occupied West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian villages, including Beit Lid and Deir Sharaf, on Tuesday. Vehicles, farmland, tin shacks, and Bedouin community tents were set ablaze, leaving four Palestinians injured.

Palestinian officials say these attacks are part of a campaign to displace Palestinians, often carried out with the protection or acquiescence of Israeli forces. Israeli authorities reported four arrests linked to extremist violence during the incidents.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the attacks, calling them “shocking and serious,” while acknowledging attacks against Israeli soldiers and property by settlers.

The Palestinian Authority’s Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission (CRRC) reports that Israeli forces and settlers carried out 2,350 attacks in the West Bank last month alone, including home demolitions, olive tree uprootings, and direct physical assaults. Human rights groups such as B’Tselem note that settler violence occurs daily, often with impunity.

The Ongoing Cycle of Violence

The conflict continues to inflict severe human, social, and infrastructural damage. With Gaza facing widespread displacement, malnutrition, and crippled healthcare and electricity systems, and West Bank Palestinians targeted by repeated settler attacks, the humanitarian situation remains critical.

Efforts to provide aid, enforce the ceasefire, and restore basic services are urgently needed to prevent further suffering and loss of life.