A recent study conducted by Airwars, a UK-based organization specializing in evaluating civilian harm in conflict zones, shed light on the reliability of casualty figures reported by the Gaza Ministry of Health during the initial 17 days of Israel’s bombardment in the Gaza Strip.
In October, the Health Ministry released a list of approximately 7,000 individuals who lost their lives in the early phase of the conflict. Despite the high number of Israeli airstrikes and explosions during this period, Airwars examined 350 events and found that around 3,000 names could be independently verified, aligning with the ministry’s data.
This analysis reinforced the credibility of the Health Ministry’s casualty reporting system at the onset of the conflict. Airwars expressed confidence in the accuracy of the ministry’s figures and highlighted ongoing efforts to investigate additional incidents.
However, as the conflict progressed, the Health Ministry’s casualty figures reportedly became less precise due to the destruction of essential infrastructure in Gaza. The devastating impact of the war on the civilian population was evident, with the ministry reporting a death toll exceeding 39,000 individuals by the latest update.
