In every significant confrontation between Israel and Hamas, such as in 2008, 2012, 2014, 2021, and the latest in 2023, there is a consistent pattern where the number of casualties in the Palestinian territories consistently exceeds those in Israel. These findings are based on comprehensive data gathered by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
An alarming revelation is that the total number of casualties in the Gaza Strip since October 7 has now surpassed the combined Palestinian casualties over the past 15 years during conflicts with Israel. This underscores the heavy human cost borne by Palestinians.
The conflict that erupted after deadly attacks by Hamas militants on Israel on October 7 has led to significant loss of life and infrastructure damage. In retaliation, Israel has reported causing the deaths of more than 11,000 individuals, as per the Gaza health ministry operated by Hamas.
These figures exceed the total number of Palestinian casualties during the past 15 years of conflicts with Israel, as indicated by data from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Israel has also suffered substantial losses, particularly on what has been described as “the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust.” On that day, over 1,200 people in Israel, primarily civilians, lost their lives — a figure nearly four times greater than the total Israeli casualties from similar conflicts since 2008, according to OCHA data. Regrettably, Israel estimates that about 240 individuals seized on that day remain unaccounted for.
Historical data from OCHA reveals that in the five major military conflicts between Israel and Hamas since Israel’s unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005, fatalities in Palestinian territories, encompassing Gaza and the West Bank, have consistently outnumbered those in Israel, underscoring the disproportionate impact on Palestinians.