GAZA’S Health Ministry said today that more than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed by the Israelis, with no end in sight to the 15-month conflict.

The ministry said a total of 46,006 Palestinians have been killed and 109,378 wounded, with women and children making up more than half the fatalities.

The number of Palestinian dead is likely to be far higher as many thousands are still missing, likely trapped beneath bombed-out buildings.

The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) claims, without evidence, that it has killed more than 17,000 resistance fighters. 

The Israelis also claim that they try to avoid harming civilians, blaming Hamas for their deaths because the militants operate in residential areas. 

Israel has repeatedly carried out deadly attacks against hospitals and schools which have been used as shelters for displaced people, leaving behind a huge death toll of Palestinian women and children.

With criticism continuing to mount, the Israeli military has tightened restrictions on media coverage in the Gaza Strip amid mounting concerns that soldiers could face legal action abroad.

The new rules announced late on Wednesday, which mainly apply to media interviews, include a requirement that soldiers holding the rank of colonel or below only be filmed from behind and identified by their first initial. 

Those ranked brigadier general or above can be identified, but must receive prior guidelines.

Any filming in combat zones must also be approved by the military’s legal department.

Israel has barred foreign journalists from entering Gaza unless organised via the military.

Last weekend a Palestinian writer, poet and journalist, Mohammad Hijazi was killed in an Israeli air attack in northern Gaza’s Jabalia refugee camp. This took the total number of journalists killed in the fighting since October 7 2023 to 220.

The IDF recently warned soldiers against posting on social media after legal action over alleged war crimes was initiated against a soldier who was visiting Brazil.

Soldiers have posted dozens of photos and videos that appear to show them rummaging through homes and burning or blowing up residential buildings.

The army says it is working on additional guidelines for soldiers on what they can post to social media.

Family members of US citizens being held hostage in Gaza are planning to attend United States president-elect Donald Trump's inauguration later this month.

Representatives for the family members said they plan to meet officials in the incoming administration and members of Congress to urge them to prioritise the safe return of the hostages.

Seven US citizens are among hostages still held by Hamas.