IN MAY, NEWS REPORTS PROCLAIMED THAT THE death counts of women and children in Gaza had been dramatically exaggerated. “UN admits Gaza death toll wrong, with almost 50% fewer women, children killed than previously reported,” a New York Post headline asserted. Yet not only does an examination of the available statistics leave no doubt that civilians in Gaza have overwhelmingly borne the brunt of Israel’s military campaign, but deaths from malnutrition and disease make it likely that the full toll is considerably higher.
Conflict fatality data in Gaza is typically reported by the Gaza Ministry of Health, whose figures in previous conflicts have generally aligned with those from independent agencies. Yet throughout the war, US and Israeli officials have questioned the MOH death counts, citing the ministry’s position as part of…
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The Nation (Digital) - 1 Issue, June 2024