‘Gaza death toll could be over 186,000’
Mourners attend the funeral of Palestinian Hani Al-Jaafarwi, the director of ambulance and emergency services at the ministry of health, who was killed in an Israeli strike on Al-Daraj clinic, in Gaza City. PHOTO: REUTERS
According to the medical journal 'The Lancet', Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza reported that 37,396 people had been killed since last October as of June 19, 2024.
These figures, while contested by Israeli authorities, are supported by Israeli intelligence, the UN, and WHO. Independent analyses comparing changes in UNRWA staff deaths with those reported by the Ministry also back these numbers.
The destruction of infrastructure in Gaza has made data collection increasingly difficult. The Health Ministry has had to rely on information from media sources and first responders.
As of May 10, 2024, 30 per cent of the 35,091 deaths were unidentified.
Due to these challenges, the reported death toll is likely an underestimate. Significant numbers of bodies are still buried in rubble, and indirect deaths are expected to multiply the total toll.
The UN estimates that 35 per cent of buildings in Gaza have been destroyed, with more than 10,000 bodies potentially still trapped.
Indirect deaths from causes such as disease and lack of resources could increase the total death toll to up to 186,000, or 7.9 per cent of Gaza's population.
The medical journal urged for an immediate ceasefire. Humanitarian aid is urgently needed to prevent further loss of life and to document the full scale of the conflict for historical accountability and post-war recovery.