Fact Check: "How many Palestinians have been killed recently by Israeli military?"
What We Know
As of July 3, 2025, the Gaza Health Ministry reported that over 59,600 individuals have died due to the ongoing conflict, with approximately 57,645 of those being Palestinians and 1,983 Israelis (Casualties of the Gaza war). This figure has been corroborated by various sources, including the Associated Press, which stated that the Palestinian death toll surpassed 55,000 as of June 11, 2025, with hospitals reporting ongoing casualties due to military actions (More than 55000 Palestinians have been killed ...).
The demographic breakdown indicates that a significant proportion of the deceased are civilians, with estimates suggesting that women and children comprise more than half of the casualties (More than 55000 Palestinians have been killed ...). Additionally, a peer-reviewed analysis published in The Lancet estimated that the death toll could exceed 70,000 by October 2024, with a significant undercount of trauma-related deaths reported by the Gaza Health Ministry (Casualties of the Gaza war).
Analysis
The figures provided by the Gaza Health Ministry are often contested by Israeli officials, who argue that the ministry, being part of the Hamas-run government, may not accurately distinguish between combatants and civilians. However, independent analyses and historical data suggest that the ministry's casualty counts have aligned closely with those reported by independent experts in previous conflicts (More than 55000 Palestinians have been killed ..., Gaza: What is the actual death toll, and how can we be sure?).
The reliability of the sources varies; while the Gaza Health Ministry's data is scrutinized for potential bias, it is supported by medical professionals who maintain detailed records. Furthermore, humanitarian organizations and independent researchers have conducted their assessments, often corroborating the ministry's figures, albeit with some discrepancies due to the chaotic conditions on the ground (Casualties of the Gaza war, Gaza: What is the actual death toll, and how can we be sure?).
Moreover, reports indicate that the Israeli military has conducted numerous strikes resulting in civilian casualties, particularly near aid distribution centers, which further complicates the situation and raises questions about the accuracy of casualty reporting (More than 55000 Palestinians have been killed ..., Israel kills more than 80 people in Gaza, including dozens ...).
Conclusion
The claim that a significant number of Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli military is True. The reported figures from the Gaza Health Ministry, corroborated by various independent sources, indicate that the death toll has surpassed 55,000, with a substantial portion of those being civilians. While there are questions regarding the accuracy and potential bias of the reporting, the overall consensus among multiple credible sources supports the claim of high civilian casualties resulting from military actions in Gaza.
Sources
- Casualties of the Gaza war
- More than 55000 Palestinians have been killed ...
- As Israel turns its focus to Iran, the death toll mounts in Gaza
- Israeli army targets Gaza City with heavy strikes, killing 39 ...
- Humanitarian Situation Update #273 | Gaza Strip | United Nations
- Gaza: What is the actual death toll, and how can we be sure?
- Israel kills more than 80 people in Gaza, including dozens ...
