A recent study published in The Lancet has shed new light on the casualty figures from the Israel genocidal aggression, suggesting that the actual number of deaths in Gaza could be significantly higher than those officially reported by the Hamas-run health ministry.

According to the research, which analyzed data up to June 30 of last year, the Gaza health ministry recorded 37,877 deaths. However, by employing a statistical method known as "capture–recapture," researchers estimated that the true number could range between 55,298 and 78,525, with a best estimate of 64,260 deaths from traumatic injuries alone. This would indicate an under-reporting by approximately 41%.

The study, led by a UK-based group, utilized multiple sources for its data:

Official Records: Counts from bodies identified in hospitals or morgues.

Online Survey: Data from an online survey where Palestinians could report the deaths of relatives.

Social Media: Obituaries posted on platforms like X, Instagram, and WhatsApp, where the identity of the deceased could be verified.

These findings suggest that approximately 2.9% of Gaza's pre-war population, or about one in 35 inhabitants, may have perished in the conflict. Notably, the study highlighted that 59% of the fatalities were women, children, and the elderly.

The research does not account for indirect deaths due to lack of healthcare, food scarcity, or those buried under rubble, which could further increase the total number of casualties.

Israel has often challenged the credibility of the Gaza health ministry's figures, whereas the United Nations has generally found them to be reliable.

As of the latest update from the Gaza health ministry on Thursday, the total death toll over the 15 months of conflict stands at 46,006.

This study underscores the ongoing debate and the difficulty in accurately reporting conflict-related deaths, providing a grim reminder of the human cost of the Israel-Hamas war. (ILKHA)