Unseen Tragedies: The Human Toll and Humanitarian Crisis of the Israel-Hamas War

The Israel-Hamas war, ongoing since October 7, 2023, has resulted in a catastrophic loss of life and widespread destruction, primarily within the Gaza Strip. As of May 21, 2024, the conflict has claimed over 37,000 lives, including 35,562 Palestinians and 1,478 Israelis. Among the dead are 105 journalists (100 Palestinian, 2 Israeli, and 3 Lebanese) and over 224 humanitarian aid workers, 179 of whom were employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

Breakdown of Casualties

Gaza Strip: The vast majority of casualties have occurred in the Gaza Strip. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that over 24,000 of the dead have been identified by the Gaza Health Ministry. Of these, 52% are women and children, 40% are men, and 8% are elderly of both sexes. The disproportionate number of casualties among women and children reflects the intense and indiscriminate nature of the bombings. Some speculate that the actual death toll could be higher due to thousands of people remaining unaccounted for, including those trapped under rubble. As of May 24, 2024, the latest figures indicate that at least 35,800 people have been killed in Gaza, including more than 15,000 children. Injuries have surpassed 80,011, and more than 10,000 people are reported missing.

Israel: The October 7 attacks by Hamas on Israel resulted in 1,139 deaths, including 764 civilians and 373 security personnel. In addition, 252 persons were taken hostage during these initial attacks. Casualties have also been reported in other parts of Israel, the West Bank, southern Lebanon, and Syria. The death toll in Israel has been revised down from 1,405 to 1,139. The number of injured in Israel stands at at least 8,730. Diplomatic efforts are underway to resume talks for a truce and the release of hostages held in Gaza.

Impact on Infrastructure

The conflict has wrought catastrophic damage to Gaza’s infrastructure. Over half of Gaza’s homes have been destroyed or damaged, and 80% of commercial facilities have ceased operations. School buildings have not been spared, with 73% being affected. The health infrastructure is in a dire state, with only 15 out of 35 hospitals partially functioning, and a staggering 83% of groundwater wells are non-operational. The cost of damage to critical infrastructure in Gaza is estimated at around $18.5 billion, which is equivalent to 97% of the combined GDP of the West Bank and Gaza in 2022.

Humanitarian Crisis

This destruction has not only exacerbated the humanitarian crisis but also left the population with severely limited access to essential services and safe shelters. The water and sanitation system is on the brink of collapse, delivering less than 5% of its previous output, and the education system has completely collapsed, with 100% of children out of school. The entire population is experiencing acute food insecurity and malnutrition, with more than half on the brink of famine. Catastrophic cumulative impacts on physical and mental health have hit women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities the hardest, with the youngest children anticipated to face life-long consequences to their development.

Journalists and Humanitarian Workers

Journalists covering the conflict face immense risks. Since the war began, over 100 journalists have been killed, with Palestinian journalists bearing the brunt of these fatalities. The high death toll among humanitarian aid workers underscores the dangerous conditions under which these individuals operate. The loss of UNRWA staff highlights the broader impact on organizations attempting to provide relief amidst the conflict.

In addition to fatal attacks, journalists and media workers in conflict zones are subject to a range of other threats, including violence leading to injuries, arbitrary detention, denial of visas, and restrictions to movement in, across, or out of conflict zones. The United Nations Secretary-General has emphasized the essential role of journalists in forging peace and the need for their protection under international humanitarian law.

The loss of 72 UNRWA staff during the Gaza conflict has been particularly shocking, with basic services collapsing and severe impacts on the delivery of humanitarian aid. The funding cuts to UNRWA, following allegations against some of its staff, have further jeopardized its operations, affecting the delivery of critical services to millions of people. The toll is heavy, with the agency struggling to pay its 30,000 staff, which echoes far beyond Gaza, affecting the entire Middle East.

Speculation and Underreporting

There is significant concern that the reported figures might underestimate the actual death toll. The chaotic and dangerous conditions in Gaza make it difficult to conduct thorough searches and recover bodies, leading to fears that many deaths remain unreported. The possibility of bodies being trapped under rubble adds to the uncertainty regarding the true scale of casualties. Moreover, discrepancies in official Palestinian counts and their growing reliance on questionable data from media reports have widened the credibility gaps. Hospitals in northern Gaza began to shut down or evacuate during the Israeli ground invasion, prompting the Ministry of Health to adopt a new, undefined methodology for counting fatalities: media reports. This shift has led to a dramatic understatement of fatalities among adult males, the demographic most likely to be combatants, thereby undercutting the persistent claim that 72 percent of those killed in Gaza are women and children. The overall death toll reported by the Ministry of Health may be significantly higher (or, less likely, lower) than what has been reported, and the demographic composition of these fatalities is certainly far different than what the MOH claims. The United Nations has also adjusted its Gaza fatality reporting, which has led to further claims and confusion over the actual numbers.

Civilian and Military Casualties

The ratio of civilian to military casualties remains a critical and contentious issue. While the Gaza Health Ministry provides overall casualty figures, it does not always specify the proportion of civilians versus combatants. Independent analyses suggest that a large number of those killed are civilians, including many women and children, which raises serious concerns about the conduct of hostilities and the adherence to international humanitarian law. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry has admitted to flaws in casualty data, acknowledging incomplete data for a significant portion of the Palestinian fatalities it claims to have documented. Moreover, an analysis by professors Michael Spagat and Daniel Silverman indicates that of the over 24,000 deaths identified by the Gaza Health Ministry, a significant percentage are women and children, followed by men, and a smaller percentage are elderly of both sexes.

Conclusion

The ongoing Israel-Hamas war has led to unprecedented levels of human suffering and destruction, particularly in the Gaza Strip. With tens of thousands of people killed and countless others affected, the conflict continues to devastate communities and strain humanitarian efforts. The international community remains deeply concerned about the civilian toll and the potential for further escalation. As the war rages on, the need for a ceasefire and comprehensive peace negotiations becomes ever more urgent to prevent further loss of life and to begin the process of rebuilding and reconciliation. Reports indicate that the vast majority of casualties have been in the Gaza Strip, with some speculating that the total death toll might be higher than reported, with thousands remaining unaccounted for, including those trapped under rubble. The international community, including legal experts, has called for the adherence to international humanitarian law by all parties involved in the conflict.