On May 4, the Gaza Ministry of Health reported that a total of 34,654 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the start of hostilities on October 7. In the last 24 hours alone, 32 individuals were reported killed and 77,908 others sustained injuries of varying severity. However, it is important to note that information from the Gaza Ministry of Health cannot be verified as Hamas does not provide details on how many of the casualties were militants from terrorist groups.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has consistently mentioned that they are unable to confirm or deny the accuracy of the data on killed and wounded individuals provided by the Gaza Ministry of Health. A study published by The Lancet in January suggested that the data from the Gaza Ministry of Health may be close to reality. Despite this, IDF reports have indicated that numerous militants from terrorist organizations are being eliminated on a daily basis in Gaza. The IDF estimates that approximately 14,000 militants and their commanders have been killed in Gaza since the beginning of the war, with Hamas acknowledging the deaths of around 6,000 of its fighters.
Reports from Hamas’s Ministry of Health do not differentiate between civilian and militant casualties and claim that all casualties are due to Israeli military operations. However, there is evidence that many individuals die as a result of actions by militants from terrorist organizations or for other reasons not directly related to Israeli military operations in Gaza. It is critical to consider various sources and perspectives when analyzing casualty figures in conflict zones like Gaza.
It is also worth noting that while Hamas’s Ministry of Health claims all deaths as a result of Israeli military operations, there are reports suggesting otherwise. For instance, an investigation by Amnesty International found that Israeli forces had carried out unlawful killings during Operation Cast Lead in 2008-2009, resulting in at least 14 civilians being killed without any suspicion or provocation.
Therefore, it is essential to take into account multiple sources when reporting on casualty figures in conflict zones such as Gaza. It is also crucial to investigate each case thoroughly before making any conclusions about who was responsible for causing harm or loss.
