Gaza death toll may surpass 186,000 Lancet medical journal study finds

The death toll from Israel's conflict in Gaza may surpass 186,000, nearly eight per cent of Gaza's pre-war population of 2.3 million, proceeding from a study published in the Lancet medical journal.

Since Israel initiated its military assault on the strip in October, Gaza's Health Ministry reports over 38,000 Palestinian fatalities, Caliber.Az reports citing the foreign media.

The Lancet study cautions that the actual death toll could be significantly higher due to widespread damage to health facilities, food distribution networks, and other critical infrastructure.

The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees has encountered substantial reductions in funding, worsening the humanitarian situation. UN data from February indicates that over 10,000 bodies were presumed buried under debris, and 35 per cent of Gaza's structures have been demolished.

The study noted in recent conflicts, indirect deaths have ranged from three to 15 times the number of direct fatalities. Applying a conservative estimate of four indirect deaths for each direct death, the study suggests that as many as 186,000 or more deaths could potentially be attributed to the conflict.

The Lancet study responded to allegations of data fabrication by Gaza's Health Ministry, asserting that Israeli intelligence, the UN, and the World Health Organisation deem these claims "implausible." Emphasising the importance of accurately documenting the scale of casualties, the study underscored its significance for historical accountability and recognising the complete toll of the conflict. It also highlighted that such documentation is essential as a legal obligation.

Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a deadly surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, spreading terror throughout the country. The carnage triggered a fierce response from Israel, whose military launched massive retaliatory strikes on the Gaza Strip. Since then, the Palestinian enclave of 2.3 million inhabitants, under Israeli blockade since 2007, has been living under bombardment, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes.