The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have cast doubt on the accuracy of Palestinian estimates regarding the number of fatalities during the recent conflict in Gaza. Initially, the IDF had expressed skepticism about the figures provided by the Palestinian Ministry of Health, citing concerns over the reliability of data coming from a Hamas-controlled region.
However, after conducting an extensive evaluation, the IDF has now suggested that the Palestinian Ministry of Health’s estimates may be accurate. The army estimated that between 11-13 thousand Hamas fighters and others were killed in the conflict, with two civilians being killed for each fighter. This would bring the total number of deaths to approximately 33-39 thousand.
The IDF’s assessment takes into account concerns raised about the breakdown of data by gender and age groups. However, some civilians were also killed as a result of actions taken by terrorists, such as missiles that veered off course. Despite these concerns, the IDF believes that overall, the numbers reported by the Palestinian Ministry of Health could be accurate.
This development marks a significant shift in Israel’s stance on Palestine’s death toll claims following its military operation in Gaza last May. Prior to this announcement, Israel had dismissed as exaggerated or fabricated reports that put civilian casualties at tens of thousands.
It remains to be seen how Palestine will respond to this development. However, it is clear that this change in perspective will have far-reaching implications for both sides and could pave the way for peace negotiations.
According to sources close to government officials in Israel, there was initially some skepticism about Palestinian assessments coming from a Hamas-influenced region. However, after conducting an extensive evaluation and taking into account concerns raised about data breakdown by gender and age groups, Israeli officials have now suggested that overall numbers reported by Palestine could be accurate.
The IDF has estimated that between 11-13 thousand Hamas fighters and others were killed in Gaza during Israel’s military operation last May. This estimate includes two civilians who were killed for each fighter, bringing the total number of deaths to approximately 33-39 thousand.
While some civilians were also killed as a result of terrorist actions such as missiles veering off course, Israeli officials believe that overall numbers reported by Palestinian Ministry of Health could be accurate.
This shift in perspective is significant given previous Israeli rejection of high civilian casualty claims made by Palestinians during past conflicts with Israel.
It remains uncertain how Palestinians will respond to this new information from Israel. However, if accepted by both sides as true then it could pave way for peace negotiations and potentially bring an end to one of world’s longest running conflicts.
