# The Dire Toll of Conflict: Assessing Civilian Casualties in Gaza
As the Israeli forces penetrate further into the Gaza Strip, a dire situation unfolds. The degradation of communication infrastructure has not only isolated residents but has also deeply impacted the ability of Palestinian authorities to accurately record the casualties resulting from the escalating conflict.
## The Collapse of Healthcare Systems Amid Conflict
The Gaza Strip’s healthcare system, crumbling under the weight of continuous Israeli attacks, contributes to the horrific challenges faced by Palestinian authorities. The Ministry of Health has reported a dire situation – hospitals overwhelmed and incapacitated, struggling to keep up with the escalating human toll of the conflict.
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Challenges in Victim Counting
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“The collapse of the health system makes it difficult for Palestinian authorities to count the victims,” declared the Ministry of Health. This logistical nightmare is magnified as Israeli forces have moved deeper into the Gaza Strip, exacerbating communication barriers.
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As Israeli forces have pushed deeper into the Gaza Strip and communications infrastructure has degraded, contact with hospitals has also deteriorated.
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The siege and subsequent attacks on hospital complexes have torn apart the fragile healthcare system, making it virtually impossible to accurately enumerate the dead or support the living.
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A Harrowing Victim Count
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Despite the crumbling infrastructure, authorities reported that as of November 15, the number of civilian deaths since the beginning of Israeli aggression on October 7 had reached an alarming 11,517 victims, including 4,650 children, 3,145 women, and 685 elderly people. Over 29,000 have been injured, and more than 3,600 civilians remain unaccounted for or trapped under rubble.
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Burial Troubles and Mass Graves
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Adding to the mounting difficulties, Gaza health authorities are struggling to bury the dead. Al-Shifa hospital, the largest medical facility in the city, has announced the commencement of digging a mass grave to cope with the number of bodies.
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Israeli Forces Storming Medical Facilities
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The situation further deteriorated when Israeli forces stormed the Al-Shifa Medical Complex, marking the incessant siege’s sixth day. They raided surgical buildings and emergency facilities, detaining and interrogating numerous individuals, including displaced people and the relatives of the dead and injured.
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Israeli Withdrawal and Continuing Presence
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After the onslaught, Israeli forces pulled back from inside the Al-Shifa Medical Complex. Yet, the tanks and snipers remain strategically positioned around the hospital, and drones continue to patrol the skies – a testimony to the relentless siege that the citizens of Gaza are enduring.
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International Eyes on Gaza
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Reportage from sources such as Sputnik World sheds light on the immense challenges faced by Palestinian health authorities and civilians in the Gaza Strip, bringing international attention to the crisis.
The ongoing conflict has led to a humanitarian crisis with immediate and long-lasting effects on the Gaza Strip’s population. Health services are struggling under the pressure, facing constant challenges in providing aid and recording casualties. It’s a stark reminder of the human cost that comes with prolonged conflict and the need for increased global awareness and intervention.
[View the full article on Sputnik World](https://sputniknews.lat/20231116/el-colapso-del-sistema-de-salud-dificulta-a-las-autoridades-de-palestina-contabilizar-a-las-1145763078.html)