The cumulative effects of Israel’s conflict with Gaza could result in a death toll exceeding 186,000 people, according to a study published in The Lancet.
Gaza’s Ministry of Health reports that over 38,000 Palestinians have died since Israel began genocide on October 7.
The study highlights that the actual death toll is higher because the official figures do not account for those buried under rubble or indirect deaths due to the destruction of health facilities, food distribution systems, and other essential infrastructure, as reported by Al Jazeera.
These indirect effects, such as diseases, could cause many more deaths in the future, even if the conflict ceases immediately.
Given the extensive destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure and shortages of food, water, and shelter, the study indicates that the death toll is likely to be much larger.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees has also faced funding cuts, exacerbating the crisis.
“In recent conflicts, such indirect deaths range from three to 15 times the number of direct deaths,” the study states.
By applying a conservative estimate of four indirect deaths per direct death, the study suggests that up to 186,000 or more deaths could be attributed to the Gaza conflict. This figure would represent nearly 8 percent of Gaza’s pre-war population of 2.3 million.
The study also notes that claims of data fabrication regarding the death toll by Palestinian authorities in Gaza are considered “implausible” by Israeli intelligence services, the UN, and the World Health Organisation.
