New Lancet study highlights underreported death toll in Gaza
The research estimates that fatalities could be as much as 40% higher than the official figures provided by the Palestinian Health Ministry
Muslim Network TV
London (MNTV) – A new study published in The Lancet has revealed that the death toll of Palestinians during the first nine months of the ongoing Israeli assault might be significantly higher than previously reported.
The research estimates that fatalities could be as much as 40% higher than the official figures provided by the Palestinian Health Ministry.
The Ministry had recorded 37,877 deaths in Gaza from Israeli strikes during the nine months leading up to June 30, 2024.
However, the study, conducted by U.K.-based researchers, suggests the actual number of fatalities from traumatic injuries could range between 55,298 and 78,525, with the most accurate estimate being approximately 64,260 deaths.
This represents around 2.9% of Gaza’s pre-war population—roughly one in every 35 residents.
The findings highlight the disproportionate impact of the conflict on vulnerable groups, with women, children, and the elderly comprising 59% of the reported fatalities.
These figures exclude those still missing—believed to be buried under the rubble—and individuals who succumbed to indirect causes such as healthcare shortages, malnutrition, and disease.
The United Nations estimates that about 10,000 Palestinians remain unaccounted for, compounding the devastating human cost of the war.
Researchers also caution that indirect deaths caused by the conflict’s crippling effect on Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure and food supply have likely been grossly underestimated.
The study employed rigorous statistical techniques, including “capture-recapture” methods often used in conflict zones to estimate casualties.
Researchers relied on data from the Palestinian Health Ministry, online surveys, and social media obituaries to piece together a comprehensive picture of the conflict’s human toll.
Zeina Jamaluddine, an epidemiologist from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and one of the study’s lead authors, emphasized the robustness of the methodology.
“We examined overlaps between multiple data sources to derive credible estimates,” she explained.
Experts have lauded the study’s approach, noting its reliability compared to methods used in other conflict zones.
However, the researchers were quick to warn that debates over casualty numbers should not distract from the overarching tragedy of human suffering caused by the conflict.
The study does not account for deaths caused by indirect factors such as starvation, disease outbreaks, or the collapse of healthcare services.
This omission suggests that the true impact of the war on Gaza’s population may be even more severe than the numbers indicate.
As Gaza continues to grapple with the humanitarian crisis, the research underscores the urgency of addressing both immediate needs and the long-term consequences of the war.
International observers and humanitarian organizations are calling for renewed efforts to protect civilians and ensure access to vital resources in the war-torn region.
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