A recent study published in The Lancet, a prominent medical journal based in London, asserts that the number of deaths in Gaza from the ongoing Israeli military operations is far higher than the figures reported by the Gaza Health Ministry. The research suggests that the actual death toll may be at least 41% greater than the official statistics.
The study, which analyzed data from the first nine months of the conflict, estimates that over 64,000 people have lost their lives in Gaza since the violence erupted in October 2023. This is notably higher than the Gaza Health Ministry's reported figure of approximately 37,000. The researchers indicate that many deaths, particularly those resulting from indirect causes such as lack of medical care and basic necessities, may not have been adequately documented.
The research also emphasizes the disproportionate impact of the conflict on vulnerable groups. It found that 59% of those who died were women, children, or the elderly. The study further highlights that approximately 2.9% of Gaza's pre-conflict population has been lost due to the violence, which corresponds to roughly 35 deaths per 1,000 residents.
Conducted by experts from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, the study employed the "capture-recapture" method, which focuses on counting deaths directly attributable to explosions. However, deaths from other factors, such as food and medical shortages, were not included in the analysis.
The Gaza Health Ministry, under the control of Hamas, has not commented on the findings of the study. While the ministry’s figures have faced criticism for potentially underreporting the true scale of the death toll, the researchers caution that the full extent of the tragedy may remain unknown due to the collapse of Gaza's healthcare infrastructure and the challenges of conducting accurate assessments amid the ongoing conflict.
The report also raises concerns that the death toll could surpass the study’s current estimates, particularly as the violence continues to devastate the region. According to The Lancet, the total number of deaths in Gaza could exceed 186,000 by the time the conflict concludes.
With the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsening, the international community is facing increasing pressure to take action. Many are calling for immediate relief efforts and measures to safeguard civilian lives. This new research only heightens the urgency of these calls, providing a stark reminder of the heavy human toll of the conflict, especially on those most vulnerable.