Fact Check: "Has Hamas killed more Palestinians than Israelis?"
What We Know
The ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. According to a report from the Gaza Health Ministry, as of January 2025, over 57,000 Palestinians have been reported killed since the onset of hostilities on October 7, 2023. This includes a substantial number of civilians; estimates suggest that around 80% of those killed are non-combatants, including women and children (Casualties of the Gaza war). In contrast, the number of Israeli fatalities stands at approximately 1,200, primarily due to the initial Hamas attacks and subsequent military operations (The Israel-Hamas war's devastating toll).
The disparity in casualties is further emphasized by a peer-reviewed analysis published in The Lancet, which estimated that the number of deaths in Gaza could exceed 70,000 by October 2024, factoring in both direct and indirect causes of mortality (Gaza death toll: how many Palestinians has Israel's ...). This analysis highlights the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where access to food, healthcare, and basic infrastructure has been critically compromised.
Analysis
The claim that Hamas has killed more Palestinians than Israelis is supported by the available data. The reported figures indicate that the Palestinian death toll is significantly higher than that of Israelis. The Gaza Health Ministry's count of over 57,000 Palestinian deaths starkly contrasts with the approximately 1,200 Israeli fatalities (Casualties of the Gaza war, The Israel-Hamas war's devastating toll).
Moreover, the analysis from The Lancet suggests that the actual number of deaths could be even higher due to underreporting and the effects of indirect causes such as starvation and lack of medical care (Gaza death toll: how many Palestinians has Israel's ...). This indicates that the humanitarian impact of the conflict extends beyond immediate violence, leading to long-term health crises.
The reliability of these figures is bolstered by multiple sources, including the Gaza Health Ministry, United Nations estimates, and independent analyses from reputable organizations. However, it is essential to note that casualty figures can be politically sensitive and may be influenced by the reporting biases of different organizations. Despite this, the consensus among various reports indicates a significantly higher number of Palestinian casualties compared to Israeli casualties.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that Hamas has killed more Palestinians than Israelis is substantiated by the data available from multiple credible sources. The overwhelming majority of casualties in the ongoing conflict are Palestinians, with estimates indicating that their death toll far exceeds that of Israelis. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza exacerbates this situation, leading to further indirect deaths that are not immediately accounted for in casualty figures.
