More than 900 people have been killed in Gaza this year, the Hamas-run health ministry reported, despite a ceasefire agreement reached after the US President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan. That plan included a suspension of ‘all military operations, including aerial and artillery bombardment.’

Deadliest Months and Continued Strikes

Since the start of the year, more than 100 people have been killed each month between April and August, with July recording the highest monthly death toll at 152, including 21 children. BBC Verify has analyzed dozens of videos showing the impact of Israeli strikes on locations including a beachside cafe, tents where displaced people have been sheltering, and a reported funeral procession in central Gaza.

According to the health ministry, 251 deaths were recorded from the start of the ceasefire agreement on 10 October to the end of that month. Since then, deadly Israeli attacks have continued every month. Hugh Lovatt, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, described the situation as a ‘ceasefire in name only.’

Disputes and Independent Analysis

The health ministry attributes the deaths directly to Israeli military action but does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. The UN considers the figures reliable, and experts have told BBC Verify that their independent analysis is consistent with the ministry’s data. However, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) disputes the figures. It told BBC Verify there is ‘no basis to assume’ that all those listed were killed as a result of IDF activity.

The IDF said it operates in ‘a precise manner to remove threats and protect its troops and Israeli civilians, in accordance with the agreement,’ and that it works to mitigate any civilian harm ‘to the greatest extent possible.’ According to Israeli media, an Israeli security official acknowledged more than 70,000 people had been killed in the Gaza war, including more than 20,000 combatants. The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (Acled) group has recorded about 200 Israeli strikes during the ceasefire that reportedly killed Hamas operatives or other armed militants.

Casualty Figures and Responses

Experts who spoke to BBC Verify said independent analysis was consistent with the ministry’s data. The IDF said five of its soldiers and one contractor have died since the ceasefire and claimed that hundreds of military operatives have also been killed. The Gaza health ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its figures, but the UN considers its overall figures reliable.