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Israel holds 80% of Gaza after dropping 223,000 tons of explosives

A view of the destruction caused by Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7, 2023, as seen from Israel on June 02, 2026. (AA Photo)
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A view of the destruction caused by Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7, 2023, as seen from Israel on June 02, 2026. (AA Photo)
July 02, 2026 02:18 PM GMT+03:00

Israel controls more than 80% of the Gaza Strip after 1,000 days of war and has dropped more than 223,000 tons of explosives on the enclave, Gaza's government media office said Thursday.

More than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed, including over 21,500 children and 12,500 women, while 9,500 others remain missing, the office said in a statistical update.

A total of 173,514 Palestinians have been injured, including 433 journalists, according to the statement.

The office said 5,400 people had undergone amputations, 18% of them children, while 1,500 cases of paralysis and 1,200 cases of vision loss had been documented.

A view of the destruction caused by Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7, 2023, as seen from Israel on June 02, 2026.  (AA Photo)
A view of the destruction caused by Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7, 2023, as seen from Israel on June 02, 2026. (AA Photo)

Tens of thousands of children orphaned

More than 58,800 children have been orphaned, while over 2.14 million cases of infectious diseases have been recorded, including 71,338 cases of viral hepatitis, the media office said.

It said Israel had completely destroyed 1,047 mosques and partially damaged another 210, while three churches had also been targeted.

The statement said 312 mosque imams, preachers, Quran teachers and other religious figures had been killed.

Israel had also destroyed or forced out of service 38 hospitals and 96 health care centers, according to the office.

It said 197 ambulances, 84 emergency vehicles and 16 civil defense centers had been targeted.

Large numbers of Palestinians, including children, gather at the distribution point to receive hot meals meals distributed by a charity in the Al-Amal neighborhood, of Khan Yunis, Gaza, Palestine on July 01, 2026. (AA Photo)
Large numbers of Palestinians, including children, gather at the distribution point to receive hot meals meals distributed by a charity in the Al-Amal neighborhood, of Khan Yunis, Gaza, Palestine on July 01, 2026. (AA Photo)

Gaza estimates direct losses at $80 billion

The Gaza government estimated preliminary direct losses from the war at about $80 billion, including $34 billion in damage to the housing sector.

According to the statement, Israel completely destroyed 335,000 buildings and housing units and damaged another 737,000.

The media office said Israel launched what it described as a genocide, with U.S. support, on Oct. 8, 2023.

It said the war officially ended when a ceasefire agreement entered into force Oct. 10, 2025, but accused Israel of continuing to violate the agreement through daily bombardment, tightening the blockade and restricting the entry of humanitarian, food and medical aid.

Civil defense teams work to recover the bodies of Palestinians trapped under the rubble of a building destroyed in Israeli attacks on the Rimal neighbourhood in Gaza City, Gaza, Palestine on June 30, 2026. (AA Photo)
Civil defense teams work to recover the bodies of Palestinians trapped under the rubble of a building destroyed in Israeli attacks on the Rimal neighbourhood in Gaza City, Gaza, Palestine on June 30, 2026. (AA Photo)

Save the Children says 21,000 children killed

At least 21,000 children have been confirmed killed in Gaza during 1,000 days of war, while hundreds of thousands more have been displaced and deprived of education, Save the Children said Thursday.

Marking the 1,000th day of the conflict, the aid organization said children continued to dream of peace despite losing their homes, schools and sense of safety.

"Every day for the past 1,000 days, the world has failed one million children in Gaza, by not intervening to stop the killing and maiming of children," said Ahmad Ahendawi, Save the Children's regional director for the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe.

The organization said the true number of children killed was likely higher because many remained buried beneath rubble.

More than 800,000 children, about 80% of Gaza's child population, have been displaced, while the enclave's 625,000 school-age children have missed three years of formal education, it said.

Smoke rises from agricultural land in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, Palestine following an Israeli strike, described as a violation of the ceasefire, on June 27, 2026. (AA Photo)
Smoke rises from agricultural land in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, Palestine following an Israeli strike, described as a violation of the ceasefire, on June 27, 2026. (AA Photo)

Gaza children describe fear, hopes for peace

Children who spoke to Save the Children described living in constant fear while continuing to hope for a better future.

"We could die at any moment. I hope the war stops for us," said Amani, 14.

"I hope the war stops so that I can continue my education in Gaza and live my rights as a human like any girl in other countries. There are many children in Gaza whose voices are not heard."

Another 14-year-old, Bisan, said: "My wish is for the war to stop, for every one of us to return to their home, and for our lives to return to how they were."

The humanitarian situation also continues to deteriorate, with an estimated 245,000 children at risk of or affected by malnutrition because humanitarian aid remains limited, the organization said.

Save the Children cited a recent U.N. Commission of Inquiry report alleging that Israeli authorities and security forces deliberately targeted Palestinian children, leading to allegations of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The organization called for an immediate and permanent cease-fire, accountability for crimes against children and the suspension of arms transfers to Israel.

Although a cease-fire was reached in October 2025, Israel has continued attacks in the Gaza Strip. Overall, the war has killed more than 73,000 people and caused destruction that could take years to rebuild.

July 02, 2026 02:18 PM GMT+03:00
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