"Israel-Hamas Conflict: Gaza's Health Ministry Reports Rising Death Toll as Airstrikes Escalate"
News outlets and international institutions, including the United Nations, rely on the Gaza Health Ministry for death tolls in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Due to the closure of Gaza to outside journalists and the risks faced by Palestinian reporters, independent verification of casualty figures is challenging. The Gaza Health Ministry, controlled by Hamas, releases updates on death tolls, which are often cited by news organizations. While some officials question the reliability of these figures, experts consider them generally reliable based on past accuracy. International organizations typically rely on official figures as the best available, although the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs cross-checks numbers with at least one other source. The Israeli-led blockade on Gaza has impacted the work of the ministry and aid groups, limiting access to medicines and medical equipment.