More than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since Israel’s military campaign began, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. This staggering number represents about 2.1% of the 2.3 million pre-war population of the territory, or approximately 1 in 46 people. Additionally, 113,274 others have been injured during the same period
The figures released by the Gaza Ministry of Health (MoH) are widely used by international institutions, including the United Nations, and are considered reliable. However, Israel has consistently disputed the data published by Gaza’s authorities.
It’s worth noting that the MoH figures do not differentiate between civilians and fighters. Nevertheless, an analysis by the UN’s Human Rights Office in November revealed that close to 70% of verified victims over a six-month period were women and children. Furthermore, a study published in The Lancet medical journal in January suggested that the death toll could be substantially higher than official figures, potentially by up to 41%.
The ongoing conflict was triggered by Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2025, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, mainly civilians, and the capture of 251 hostages. In response, Israel launched a massive military offensive, causing widespread destruction to homes and infrastructure, in addition to the significant loss of life and injuries.
The situation remains dire, with the MoH reporting at least 39 deaths in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of people killed to 673 since Israel resumed its military operations in the territory on Tuesday.
