The war began when Hamas-led fighters attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostage. They are still holding 53 captives, less than half of them believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals.

The death toll from the 20-month Israel-Hamas war has surpassed 55,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry on Wednesday, as hospitals reported that at least 21 people were killed while heading to aid distribution sites.