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Casualties Rise in Gaza Amid Ongoing Conflict
More than 50,000 Palestinians have lost their lives due to Israel’s military operations in Gaza, according to recent figures released by the health ministry governed by Hamas. The reported death toll stands at 50,021, a tragic statistic that represents approximately 2.1% of the territory’s pre-war population of 2.3 million, indicating that roughly 1 in every 50 individuals has been killed.
In addition to the fatalities, the health ministry reports that over 113,000 people have sustained injuries since the conflict escalated. These figures, drawn from the Gaza Ministry of Health, have gained credibility among organizations such as the United Nations and other international bodies—despite Israel’s ongoing dispute over the statistics provided by Gaza’s authorities.
The presence of independent international journalists in Gaza has been significantly restricted, making it difficult to independently corroborate numbers presented by either side involved in the conflict.
It is important to note that the casualty figures reported do not distinguish between civilians and combatants. A November analysis from the UN’s Human Rights Office indicated that nearly 70% of verified casualties over a six-month timeframe were women and children, highlighting the significant impact on non-combatants.
Furthermore, a January study published in The Lancet medical journal suggested that the actual death toll could be substantially greater than officially reported, with estimates indicating an increase of up to 41% more than the figures provided by the health ministry.
This intense conflict was ignited by a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the loss of approximately 1,200 lives, primarily among civilians, alongside the taking of 251 hostages. In response, Israel initiated extensive military operations aimed at Gaza, leading to widespread devastation of homes and critical infrastructure in addition to the alarming casualties reported.
Recently, the health ministry also documented a surge in fatalities, reporting at least 39 deaths within the past 24 hours, which brought the total number of casualties to 673 since Israel recommenced its military actions in the territory earlier in the week.
Source
www.bbc.com