Israeli media report that a senior security official has confirmed the military accepts over 70,000 Palestinians have died during the Gaza war. This figure comes from the Hamas-run health ministry, previously doubted by Israel but trusted by the UN and global media. The conflict began on 7 October 2023 with a Hamas attack on southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel responded with a military campaign in Gaza. According to the Hamas health ministry, more than 71,660 have died in Gaza, including at least 492 since a ceasefire started on 10 October 2025. Four Israeli soldiers have also died. Israel had disputed these numbers, claiming it killed 1,600 Hamas fighters from the start of the war and another 22,000 militants later. A senior Israeli source told journalists, including those from Haaretz and the Times of Israel, that the Hamas death toll is largely accurate, though exact breakdowns between fighters and civilians remain unclear. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it believed two or three civilians died for every dead militant but also noted the latest remarks do not represent the IDF's official position.