IDF aligns with Gaza Health Ministry, acknowledges 71,000 Palestinian deaths

WEB DESK: In a notable shift, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has for the first time, acknowledged the Gaza Health Ministry’s estimate of approximately 71,000 Palestinian deaths since the conflict began on October 7, 2023.

According to reports from Israeli media, including Haaretz and The Times of Israel, a senior military source confirmed that the IDF considers the ministry’s figures to be largely reliable. The latest data from the Gaza Health Ministry lists 71,667 Palestinians killed directly by Israeli military actions, over 171,000 wounded, and thousands more still missing, presumed buried under rubble from destroyed buildings.

The IDF emphasised that the figure does not account for deaths from indirect causes, such as starvation, disease, or lack of medical care, nor does it include individuals still trapped under debris. While Israel has previously questioned the ministry’s figures often citing its Hamas affiliation international organisations, including the United Nations, have long regarded the data as credible.

The conflict began after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which killed around 1,200 people and resulted in the taking of over 250 hostages. Israel’s military response has caused widespread destruction in Gaza and extensive civilian casualties, leaving nearly the entire population displaced and creating a severe humanitarian crisis.

The IDF continues to analyse the breakdown between civilians and militants, with some Israeli estimates suggesting around 25,000 deaths involved active combatants, though no official detailed ratio has been released. Military officials stress that operational assessments remain the primary focus rather than public casualty categorization. The Gaza Health Ministry compiles its figures using hospital records, family reports, and identification processes, with over 90% of casualties verified by name and ID in many updates. This careful documentation has lent credibility to its reports despite the ongoing debate over civilian and militant classifications.

This acknowledgment by the IDF, more than two years into the conflict, underscores the immense human cost of the war and aligns with ongoing efforts around ceasefire implementation and hostage exchanges. It also reflects increasing transparency in how the conflict’s toll is assessed, providing a clearer picture to the international community.