New Study Estimates Over 75,000 Killed in First 15 Months of Gaza War

A new study published in the UK-based journal The Lancet Global Health estimates that more than 75,000 Palestinians were killed in the first 15 months of Israel’s assault on Gaza.

The figure is significantly higher than the roughly 49,000 deaths reported at the time by Gaza health authorities, highlighting a sharp discrepancy in casualty estimates.

Researchers found that women, children and the elderly accounted for more than 52 percent of violent deaths during the period, broadly aligning with data released by the Gaza Ministry of Health.

The authors said their work represents the first independent mortality survey in Gaza, based on interviews with 2,000 Palestinian households.

Casualty figures in Gaza have been heavily contested. Gaza health officials, whose data the United Nations has consistently described as credible report more than 72,000 deaths, with thousands believed to remain buried under rubble.

Israel has questioned the figures, citing Hamas control over Gaza’s health ministry, although a senior Israeli military officer told local media last month that the overall numbers were broadly accurate.

Lancet researchers said their analysis refutes claims of systematic exaggeration and suggests the health ministry may have undercounted deaths by about 40 percent in the war’s first nine months.

In addition to the estimated 75,000 violent deaths, the study identified more than 16,000 non-violent deaths in the same period, linked to disease, pre-existing conditions and indirect war-related causes.

The findings intensify scrutiny over the human toll of the Gaza war, underscoring the scale of civilian suffering and the ongoing debate over casualty reporting.

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