Experts Warn Death Toll in Gaza Could Exceed 186,000
An article titled “Counting the Deaths in Gaza: Difficult but Necessary” was recently published in the British journal The Lancet by Rasha Khatib, Martin McKee, and Salim Yusuf. The article sheds light on the devastating situation in Gaza, where the number of people who have lost their lives has reached a staggering 37,396 as of June 19.
The challenges faced by the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza in collecting accurate data due to the extensive destruction in the region were highlighted in the article. The ministry announced the number of dead and identified dead separately, revealing that approximately 30 percent of the deceased individuals could not be identified.
According to experts cited in the article, the real death toll in Gaza could be even higher, with estimates suggesting it could be more than 186,000. Airwars, a non-governmental organization monitoring airstrikes in the Middle East, found that some identifiable victims of airstrikes were not included in the ministry’s lists.
The devastation in Gaza extends beyond just the loss of life, with 35 percent of buildings destroyed and over 10,000 bodies still under the rubble. The article also emphasized the long-term health impacts of wars, stating that their effects can be felt for years to come.
Furthermore, the indirect death toll from attacks in Gaza is predicted to be 3 to 15 times higher than direct deaths, due to factors such as the destruction of health institutions and lack of essential resources. Urgent calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and the distribution of crucial aid were emphasized in the article.
As the conflict escalates, thousands of Palestinians have begun fleeing northward to escape the intense attacks. Israeli warplanes and artillery continue to bombard various parts of Gaza City, resulting in numerous casualties.
Ambulances and medical teams are struggling to reach the affected areas due to the ongoing bombardment, leading to unnecessary loss of life among the injured. The Health Ministry in Gaza reported that thousands of Palestinians have been killed and injured in Israel’s attacks on the Gaza Strip since October 7.
Calculating the death toll and assessing the destruction caused by the conflict in Gaza is essential for future accountability, recovery efforts, and humanitarian aid distribution. The article serves as a reminder of the urgent need to address the escalating crisis in Gaza and the humanitarian toll it is taking on the region.
