The Israeli military has for the first time accepted figures released by Gaza’s health ministry showing that more than 70,000 Palestinians were killed during its war in the enclave, according to a report.

The Gaza health ministry says 71,667 people have been killed since Israel’s military operations began on 7 October 2023, including 492 who have been killed since a ceasefire agreement was finalised in October.

But IDF sources told Haaretz that the death toll has now been accepted by military officials. The figures are regarded as reliable by humanitarian organisations, including the United Nations.

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