Death Toll Rises Above 69,000 As Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Exchanges Continue

November 9, 2025

Gaza health officials reported on Saturday that the Palestinian death toll from the Israel-Hamas war has surpassed 69,000, as both sides executed the latest exchange of remains under the terms of a fragile ceasefire agreement.

The increase in the casualty figure follows the recovery and identification of more bodies in the Gaza Strip since the ceasefire began on October 10. The toll provided by the Hamas-run government’s health ministry also accounts for Palestinians killed in strikes that Israel states targeted remaining militants.

The ongoing exchange of remains is a central component of the initial phase of the truce, which aims to de-escalate the deadliest and most destructive war fought between Israel and the Palestinian militant group. The ceasefire requires Hamas to return the remains of all hostages as quickly as possible.

On Saturday, Israel returned the remains of 15 Palestinians to Gaza, according to local hospital officials. This followed the militants’ handover of a hostage’s remains to Israel a day earlier. The returned hostage was identified by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office as Lior Rudaeff, who the Hostages and Missing Families Forum noted was born in Argentina.

In Tel Aviv on Saturday night, families and supporters of the captives rallied once again, calling for the prompt return of all remaining hostages.

The current conflict began with the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the taking of 251 hostages.