Gaza Death Toll Rises As Cold Claims More Children

On January 24, 2026, the Gaza Strip awoke to yet another grim milestone in a conflict that has stretched on for months, leaving a deep scar on the enclave’s landscape and its people. According to the Palestinian news agency WAFA, the death toll from Israeli military actions in Gaza has now reached 71,654 since the outbreak of hostilities on October 7, 2023. The number of those wounded stands at a staggering 171,391. These figures, echoed by SadaNews, paint a harrowing portrait of a territory caught in a relentless cycle of violence, displacement, and humanitarian crisis.

Medical sources in Gaza reported that in the 48 hours leading up to January 24, four more citizens lost their lives and twelve others were injured due to ongoing fires and bombings. The violence, which has ebbed and flowed since the conflict’s eruption, continues to claim lives even in periods that are supposed to be marked by ceasefires. As WAFA noted, “a number of victims are still under the rubble and on the roads, as paramedics and rescue teams cannot reach them so far.” The inability to access those trapped beneath collapsed buildings underscores the dire situation for emergency responders, who face constant danger and overwhelming need.

Since the ceasefire announced on October 11, 2023, the Ministry of Health in Gaza reports that 481 people have been killed and 1,313 injured. The process of recovering bodies from the devastation has been slow and perilous, with 713 bodies retrieved so far. These numbers are not just statistics; they reflect the ongoing human cost of the conflict, even during supposed lulls in violence. The Martyrs Accreditation Committee, responsible for verifying and documenting casualties, added 88 more individuals to the official tally between January 16 and January 23, 2026, after completing the necessary data checks and approvals.

Among the latest tragedies is the death of Ali Abu Zur, a three-month-old infant, at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. His passing was not due to violence, but rather the intense cold that has gripped Gaza this winter. Medical officials confirmed that Ali’s death brings the total number of children who have died from cold-related causes since the start of winter to ten. In a region where infrastructure has been battered by war and resources are desperately scarce, such deaths are a stark reminder of the multifaceted dangers facing Gaza’s youngest residents. As SadaNews reported, “the child Ali Abu Zour, aged 3 months, died at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital due to intense cold, bringing the number of child deaths from cold since the start of winter to 10.”

The cumulative toll of the conflict is staggering. Since October 7, 2023, more than 71,000 people have died and over 171,000 have been wounded. The Ministry of Health’s figures, cited by both WAFA and SadaNews, are based on hospital records and the painstaking work of recovery teams. But even these numbers may not tell the full story, as many victims remain inaccessible beneath rubble or in areas too dangerous for rescue workers to reach.

With each passing day, the challenges facing Gaza’s medical and emergency personnel multiply. The destruction of infrastructure, shortages of medical supplies, and the sheer scale of injuries and trauma have pushed hospitals and clinics to their limits. The cold winter weather has only exacerbated the crisis, particularly for children and the elderly. Power outages and fuel shortages mean that heating is scarce or nonexistent in many homes and shelters, leaving the most vulnerable exposed to the elements.

Humanitarian organizations have repeatedly sounded the alarm about the deteriorating situation in Gaza. The combination of ongoing violence, displacement, and environmental hardships such as cold weather has created a perfect storm of suffering. Children, in particular, face heightened risks, not just from bombs and bullets, but from the indirect consequences of war—malnutrition, disease, and exposure to harsh weather conditions.

Efforts to document and account for the dead and wounded continue under extremely difficult circumstances. The Martyrs Accreditation Committee, which oversees the verification of casualties, recently finalized data for 88 additional martyrs, ensuring that their names and stories are not lost amid the chaos. This meticulous work is vital for both historical record and for the families seeking closure in the wake of unimaginable loss.

Even as the world’s attention shifts from one crisis to another, the people of Gaza endure the daily realities of conflict. The numbers—tens of thousands dead, hundreds of thousands wounded—are almost too large to comprehend. But behind each statistic is a story: a family shattered, a child lost, a community struggling to survive. The death of baby Ali Abu Zur, for instance, is a stark illustration of how the conflict’s reach extends far beyond the battlefield, touching even those too young to understand the world around them.

International response to the ongoing crisis has been mixed. While some governments and organizations have provided humanitarian aid and called for renewed ceasefires, others have focused on diplomatic or strategic interests in the region. The complexity of the Gaza conflict, with its deep-rooted political, historical, and social dimensions, makes lasting solutions elusive. Yet, as the death toll climbs and the humanitarian crisis deepens, the urgency for action becomes ever more apparent.

For many in Gaza, hope is in short supply. The cycle of violence, destruction, and loss seems unending. Yet amid the devastation, there are stories of resilience and solidarity. Medical workers, paramedics, and volunteers continue to risk their lives to save others, often working with little more than determination and the most basic supplies. Families band together to care for the injured and the orphaned, and communities strive to maintain some semblance of normalcy in the face of chaos.

The latest figures from WAFA and SadaNews serve as a sobering reminder of the ongoing human cost of the conflict in Gaza. They also highlight the urgent need for sustained international attention and assistance, not only to address immediate humanitarian needs but also to work toward a future in which such tragedies are no longer commonplace. As the world watches, the people of Gaza continue to pay a steep price for a conflict that shows no signs of resolution.

In the end, the numbers tell a story of loss and endurance—a story that demands to be heard, understood, and, ultimately, addressed. The suffering in Gaza is not just a local or regional issue; it is a humanitarian crisis that calls for global awareness and action.