More than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli military operations in Gaza since a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas took effect last October, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The figures — which UN officials and independent experts consider broadly reliable — suggest an average of roughly four deaths per day from Israeli airstrikes and shelling, with the ministry noting that women and children account for a disproportionate share of the dead. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has described Gaza as still being "plagued by great uncertainty and immense suffering," pointing to ongoing civilian casualties, restricted humanitarian aid, and the continued Israeli military presence across much of the territory.