New Research Indicates Gaza Martyr Numbers Exceed Official Reports by 40%

Watan–A recent research study has revealed that the number of martyrs in the Gaza Strip during the first nine months of the Israeli war is significantly higher than the officially announced figures. The actual number of victims may be up to 40% more than what the Palestinian Ministry of Health has reported, reflecting the magnitude of the humanitarian disaster in the region.

According to official data released by the Ministry of Health in Gaza, the number of martyrs reached 37,877 by June 30, 2024. However, the new research study, which relied on Ministry of Health data, an online survey, and obituary data published on social media, estimated the actual number of martyrs to be between 55,298 and 78,525. The study suggested that the most accurate figure is 64,260 martyrs.

These numbers indicate that more than 26,000 martyrs were not officially recorded, pointing to a massive gap in official statistics and confirming that the human losses in Gaza are much greater than reported. The researchers employed a statistical approach known as “capture-recapture analysis,” a method previously used to estimate casualty numbers in other global conflicts.

The study utilized three main data sources: first, the Palestinian Ministry of Health’s list, which includes martyrs identified in hospitals and morgues; second, an online survey launched by the Ministry of Health, allowing families to report their deceased members; and third, obituary data published on social media platforms, which showed that the number of victims is far greater than the officially announced figures.

This methodology helps bridge gaps in official statistics, especially since thousands of bodies remain under rubble and the Israeli occupation’s targeting of medical infrastructure has made documenting the actual number of martyrs extremely complex.

The study revealed that 59% of the martyrs are women, children, and the elderly, reflecting that the Israeli occupation directly targets civilians, exacerbating the severity of the humanitarian crimes committed in the region.

The numbers uncovered by the study indicate that the Gaza Strip is facing one of the largest humanitarian disasters in modern times, as the Israeli war has led to the annihilation of entire families, the destruction of entire neighborhoods, and the transformation of the region into a devastated area. Additionally, the alarming death rate means that one in every 35 Gaza residents has been martyred.

These unprecedented figures in modern armed conflicts raise urgent questions about the international community’s inaction in confronting the occupation’s crimes.

Despite widespread condemnations, major powers have not taken decisive steps to halt the aggression or bring Israeli officials to trial for committing war crimes and genocide.