In brief
A new study indicates that the death toll among Palestinians during the first nine months of 2023 has likely been drastically underestimated, with figures suggesting over 64,000 fatalities.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has raised serious health concerns as a recent analysis claims that actual deaths due to traumatic injuries may be 40% higher than previously reported. Conducted by researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the study highlights that official numbers from the Hamas-led Ministry of Health may significantly undercount the true death toll from Israeli military operations. While the Ministry cited approximately 37,900 deaths, this new analysis estimates the number to be around 64,300, equating to a devastating 2.9% of Gaza's prewar population—one in every 35 people. Alarmingly, 59% of these casualties were women, children, and older adults. The report emphasizes that these numbers do not include deaths from other war-related factors like malnutrition or illness, suggesting an even graver situation. Experts continue to call for accurate data to grasp the true extent of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.
