Fact Check: "More than 55,000 Palestinians killed in the Israel-Hamas war"
What We Know
As of June 11, 2025, the Gaza Health Ministry reported that the death toll of Palestinians in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has surpassed 55,000. This figure was cited in multiple reports, including those from the Associated Press, which detailed the circumstances surrounding recent casualties, including deaths occurring while individuals were attempting to access humanitarian aid (AP News). The ministry indicated that over half of the deceased are women and children, although it does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its reporting (PBS).
Furthermore, independent sources such as Reuters have corroborated this figure, stating that nearly 55,000 Palestinians have been killed as a result of the conflict (Reuters). The situation in Gaza has been dire, with hospitals overwhelmed and many more individuals believed to be trapped under rubble or inaccessible areas (AP News).
Analysis
The claim that more than 55,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war is supported by multiple credible sources. The Gaza Health Ministry, despite being part of the Hamas-run government, has a history of providing casualty figures that align with independent assessments during previous conflicts (AP News). While Israel has questioned the accuracy of these figures, the ministry's data has been consistent and detailed, suggesting a level of reliability.
The context of these casualties is critical. The ongoing conflict has seen significant violence, including military operations by Israel that have resulted in high civilian casualties. Reports indicate that many deaths have occurred in crowded areas where civilians are present, further complicating the situation (AP News, PBS).
However, it is essential to recognize the potential biases in reporting from both sides. The Gaza Health Ministry operates under a political entity that may have reasons to emphasize higher casualty figures, while Israeli sources often downplay civilian casualties, attributing them to Hamas's tactics of operating within civilian populations (AP News, PBS).
Despite these complexities, the convergence of reports from various independent news outlets and the Gaza Health Ministry supports the assertion that the death toll has indeed surpassed 55,000.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that more than 55,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war is substantiated by credible sources, including the Gaza Health Ministry and independent news reports. The figures are consistent across multiple outlets, and while there are concerns regarding potential biases, the overall evidence supports the claim.
Sources
- More than 55,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war ... AP News
- Israeli tanks kill 59 people in Gaza crowd trying to get food ... Reuters
- Casualties of the Gaza war Wikipedia
- Gaza war Wikipedia
- More than 55,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war ... AP News
- Gaza health officials say 55,000 Palestinians have died in Israel-Hamas war PBS
