Over 30,000 Palestinians Killed in Gaza Since October, Majority Women and Children: Health Ministry
The conflict in Gaza has reached a devastating milestone, with over 30,000 Palestinians killed since October, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. This number represents about 1.3% of the territory’s population of 2.3 million, highlighting the immense toll this war has taken on the region. The majority of those killed were women and children, although the figures do not differentiate between civilians and fighters.
In the past 24 hours alone, 81 people have lost their lives, bringing the total death toll to 30,035. However, this count is likely to be much higher as it does not include those who have not been able to reach hospitals, including thousands of individuals still trapped under the rubble of buildings destroyed by Israeli air strikes.
The Gaza ministry of health (MoH) is the official source for casualty figures and has registered over 70,000 injured individuals. Their data is relied upon by UN agencies and other international institutions. The World Health Organization (WHO) has praised the MoH’s data collection and analysis capabilities, considering their reporting to be credible and well-developed.
When comparing the current breakdown of deaths with past conflicts in Gaza, the WHO notes a disturbing trend of increasing civilian casualties, particularly among women and children. This raises concerns about the impact of the current conflict on innocent civilians.
Israel’s military has not provided a detailed breakdown of civilian and fighter casualties but has stated that approximately 10,000 terrorists have been killed. The lack of transparency regarding casualties on both sides adds to the complexity of understanding the true human cost of this war.
Registering a Palestinian death in Gaza requires the body or remains to be seen by hospital staff or medical workers. At the end of each day, hospitals send comprehensive lists of casualties to a centralized MoH system. However, reporting accurate figures has been challenging due to overflowing mortuaries, fighting near medical facilities, and limited internet and phone connectivity.
Efforts to recover bodies and trace the missing will provide a clearer picture of the number of casualties, including combatants, once a longer-term truce is agreed upon or the war comes to an end. The UN, rights groups, and the Israeli military are expected to conduct their own investigations into the matter.
One criticism of the current figures is that they do not provide information on how Palestinians were killed, whether it was due to Israeli air strikes, artillery shelling, or other means. All casualties are currently attributed to “Israeli aggression,” which fails to provide a comprehensive understanding of the circumstances surrounding each death.
Recent reports from the Gaza MoH have highlighted cases of “indirect mortality,” where individuals have died as a result of the war but not directly due to the fighting. Tragically, six children died from dehydration and malnutrition at hospitals in northern Gaza, highlighting the dire humanitarian situation in the region. The UN warns that a quarter of Gaza’s population is now at risk of famine, and there has been a significant increase in infectious diseases due to a shortage of medicines and lack of medical care.
The war began in October when thousands of Hamas fighters launched an attack on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the seizure of 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. The conflict has had a devastating impact on both sides, with innocent civilians bearing the brunt of the violence.
As the conflict continues, it is crucial for international organizations and governments to work towards a peaceful resolution and provide much-needed humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of those affected by this tragic war.