Gaza Health Ministry Denies Manipulation of Death Toll Figures Amidst Ongoing Controversy

The Gaza health ministry is vehemently denying accusations of manipulating casualty figures in the ongoing conflict with Israel, asserting its commitment to accurate data despite mounting scrutiny. As of today, the ministry reports more than 51,266 Palestinians have been killed since the war began on October 7th, 2023, with nearly a third of those fatalities occurring among individuals under the age of 18. However, Israel has repeatedly challenged the accuracy and reliability of these numbers, alleging they are used as propaganda by Hamas to inflate casualty figures and garner international sympathy.

The controversy stems from several factors. Initially, death tolls were calculated primarily by counting bodies brought into hospitals – a method that became increasingly unreliable due to the chaotic conditions created by relentless Israeli airstrikes targeting medical facilities. The Ministry of Health now utilizes online forms for families to report deceased loved ones, but these reports often lack complete information like full names and identifying details, leading to potential errors.

Furthermore, the ministry has recently undertaken an audit of its official fatality lists from hospital mortuaries, revealing discrepancies and omissions. Thousands of bodies remain buried under rubble following Israeli airstrikes, and approximately 900 individuals are currently unidentified. These remains pose a significant challenge to accurate accounting. The recent two-month ceasefire, which allowed for the return of hundreds of thousands of displaced Gazans, resulted in the retrieval and identification of nearly 800 corpses from areas like Wadi Gaza (the Netzarim Corridor), where they had been left after Israeli forces withdrew. Identification is carried out using serial numbers and examination of personal belongings, such as watches or ID cards.

Israel asserts that a significant portion of the reported deaths consists of Hamas fighters – estimating 20,000 fatalities within Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad since January 2024. It has not provided figures for civilian casualties. The judicial committee is now tasked with verifying all submitted information to ensure data integrity, removing individuals who died from natural causes (such as malnutrition or hyperthermia) or those mistakenly listed as deceased.

The recent revelation that approximately 3,000 names have been removed from earlier fatality lists – a practice highlighted by media reports and groups like HonestReporting – has further fueled skepticism. The Ministry of Health explains this is a routine revision process, not an attempt to conceal casualties. Professor Mike Spagat, chair of Every Casualty Counts, acknowledges the revisions but notes that previous figures should be considered provisional. The removal of names occurred primarily due to individuals initially reported as dead being found alive, or having been imprisoned.

The Hamas-run Civil Defence agency is actively retrieving and identifying bodies from areas still heavily impacted by the conflict. They meticulously document each body’s belongings, relying on distinctive items to aid family members in identification. Despite the complexities of gathering accurate data within a warzone, the Ministry of Health maintains its commitment to providing credible information while acknowledging the ongoing challenges.