The Human Toll of Israel’s War on Gaza: By the Numbers

After 467 days of devastating conflict between Israel and Hamas, a ceasefire has been reached. The war, which began on October 7, 2023, followed Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel. These attacks caused over 1,100 deaths and led to the capture of approximately 240 individuals, some of whom were freed through a prisoner exchange or perished in subsequent Israeli operations.

In retaliation, Israel launched widespread air raids and tightened its longstanding blockade on Gaza, in place since 2007.

Human Losses in Gaza

• Deaths: At least 46,707 Palestinians, including 18,000 children, have been killed. This translates to 1 in every 50 Gazans losing their lives, with the actual toll suspected to be significantly higher.
• Injuries: Over 110,265 people have been injured, with nearly 22,500 facing life-altering injuries requiring unavailable rehabilitation due to the blockade.
• Amputations: By the end of 2024, there were at least 4,500 amputations, with children being the most affected due to limited medical resources.

Impact on Israel

• Military Losses: During this period, 407 Israeli military personnel were killed. While the exact number of injured remains uncertain, estimates suggest over 800 individuals were wounded.

Destruction and Airstrikes

• Explosives Used: An estimated 85,000 tonnes of explosives have been dropped, leaving 42 million tonnes of debris. According to the UN, clearing this debris, including unexploded bombs, could take over a decade.
• Missing Persons: Thousands remain unaccounted for, buried under destroyed buildings, as rescuers work with minimal tools and bare hands.

Humanitarian Crisis

• Starvation: Gaza faces a critical humanitarian crisis. The UN has condemned restrictions on aid delivery as violations of international law, describing aid efforts as being at a “breaking point.”
• Infant Mortality: At least eight babies have died of hypothermia, with inadequate shelter during winter.
• Displacement: Nearly 1.9 million Gazans are internally displaced, with 80% living in unfit makeshift shelters. Over 110,000 tents have been deemed uninhabitable, leaving many vulnerable to the cold and flooding.

Path to Recovery

The ceasefire offers a glimmer of hope, but the path to recovery will require significant international support to rebuild Gaza and address the devastating human and infrastructural toll of the conflict.