Gaza: One Palestinian Killed or Wounded Every 90 Minutes Since Ceasefire

The ceasefire in Gaza has done little to halt the bloodshed, with reports indicating that Israel is killing or wounding a Palestinian every 90 minutes since the truce came into effect. The stark figure, cited by Mauritian outlet Le Defi Media, underscores the fragile and deeply contested nature of the ceasefire agreement, which was meant to pause the devastating conflict that has gripped the Gaza Strip since the Hamas-led attacks on Israel in October 2023. Despite the formal halt in large-scale hostilities, violence on the ground has continued — through targeted strikes, sniper fire, and clashes at flashpoints across the territory — resulting in a sustained rate of casualties that human rights observers say makes a mockery of the ceasefire's intent. Gaza, a densely populated coastal enclave of roughly 2.3 million people bordering Israel and Egypt, has been under an Israeli military campaign that international bodies including the United Nations have warned is causing catastrophic humanitarian consequences. Hospitals, infrastructure, and supply lines have been severely degraded throughout the conflict. The 90-minutes-per-casualty figure, if sustained over days and weeks, would represent thousands of additional Palestinian deaths and injuries since the ceasefire was declared — adding to a death toll that Gaza's Health Ministry had already placed in the tens of thousands before any truce. Israel has maintained that its military operations target Hamas combatants and infrastructure, and has accused the militant group of using civilian areas as cover. Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip, is designated a terrorist organisation by the United States, the European Union, and several other countries. The ceasefire — brokered with involvement from Qatar, Egypt, and the United States — was initially welcomed as a potential turning point. However, repeated violations reported by both sides have raised serious doubts about whether a durable peace is achievable in the near term. For Mauritius, a country with a significant Muslim community and longstanding solidarity with Palestinian causes expressed through civil society and political channels, the situation in Gaza continues to draw attention and concern. Mauritian media have followed the conflict closely since it escalated in late 2023. **What this means** The continuing casualties during a ceasefire period highlight the gap between formal agreements and realities on the ground in Gaza. For international observers, diaspora communities, and humanitarian organisations following the conflict, the data point raises urgent questions about accountability, ceasefire monitoring, and the prospects for a lasting resolution. Source: Le Defi Media