Gaza toll crosses 74,000 as Israel opposition unites for critical vote

The Palestinian death toll in Gaza has crossed 74,000, according to the territory's Health Ministry, even as a ceasefire that took effect on October 10 has stopped the heaviest fighting. Israeli strikes have, however, continued, with the military saying they were in response to threats or attacks.

In Israel, the main Jewish opposition parties have said they will work together to try and defeat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition in next month's "critical elections". The vote, the first since the October 7, 2023 attacks, is widely being seen as a referendum on the security failures that led to the assault.

Gaza's Health Ministry said on Saturday that the Palestinian death toll had risen to 74,016, while 175,068 people had been wounded. The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants entered Israel, killing about 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and taking 251 others hostage.

The ministry, which is part of the Hamas-led government, said 1,145 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire began. It keeps detailed records that are generally seen as reliable by UN agencies and international organisations. It does not separate civilians from militants in its toll, but says women and children account for about half of those killed. Seven Israeli soldiers have also been killed since the ceasefire.

Other parts of the US-brokered ceasefire remain largely stalled. Israeli forces now control more than half of the Palestinian territory, Hamas has not disarmed, a new Palestinian government has not taken office and reconstruction has not started. Netanyahu has said Israeli forces will not withdraw until Hamas disarms.

The opposition meeting on Saturday evening brought together Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief seen as Netanyahu's main challenger; Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, two former prime ministers contesting together; Yair Golan, who heads the centre-left party; and Avigdor Lieberman, who leads a hawkish opposition party. In a joint statement, they said they would work together to increase turnout, "combat fake news and smear campaigns" and frame the basic principles of the next government. "We recognise that these elections are critical to the future of the state," the statement said. In sum, the ceasefire in Gaza remains incomplete and politically, Israel is heading into a high-stakes election shaped by the fallout of the war.