WEB DESK: 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 still missing under rubble. The IDF emphasized this figure does not include deaths from indirect causes such as starvation or disease, nor those still trapped under debris.
While Israel has previously questioned the ministry’s figures due to its Hamas affiliation and international organizations’ regard for the data as credible, the IDF now accepts the ministry’s data. The conflict began after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths and around 250 hostages.
The Israeli military response has led to widespread destruction in Gaza and extensive civilian casualties, displacing nearly its entire population and creating a severe humanitarian crisis. The IDF continues to analyze the breakdown between civilians and militants, with estimates suggesting approximately 25,000 deaths involve active combatants, though no official detailed ratio has been released.
Military officials stress operational assessments remain their primary focus rather than public casualty categorization. The Gaza Health Ministry compiles its figures using hospital records, family reports, and identification processes; over 90% of casualties are verified by name and ID in many updates. This careful documentation adds credibility to the ministry’s reports despite ongoing debates on 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 for 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.