The cumulative effects of Israel’s offensive on Gaza could potentially result in a death toll exceeding 186,000 individuals, as indicated by a study published in the Lancet journal.

Since the commencement of Israel’s military campaign on October 7 following destructive Hamas assaults, over 38,000 Palestinians have reportedly lost their lives according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health.

The study highlighted that the actual death count might be significantly higher, considering the unaccounted dead buried under wreckage and indirect fatalities caused by the destruction of vital infrastructure in Gaza.

Keep reading

The study emphasized that even after the cessation of the Gaza conflict, the repercussions are likely to lead to numerous indirect casualties over time, particularly through disease outbreaks.

With a substantial portion of Gaza’s infrastructure in ruins and severe shortages of essentials like food, water, and shelter, the study projected that the death toll could escalate significantly from the ongoing crisis.

According to the study, the toll could potentially reach up to 186,000 or more, representing approximately 8% of Gaza’s pre-war population of 2.3 million, considering a conservative estimate of four indirect deaths per direct death.

Notably, the Lancet study refuted claims of data manipulation regarding the death toll in Gaza and underlined the immense difficulty in maintaining an accurate count due to the extensive infrastructure destruction.

The study stressed the necessity of accurately documenting the true extent of the humanitarian crisis for historical accountability and legal purposes, citing the International Court of Justice's directives on preserving evidence related to alleged acts under the Genocide Convention.

It is crucial to acknowledge and comprehend the full toll of the conflict for ensuring accountability and the preservation of historical records, the study concluded.