Fact Check: "Over 55,000 people killed in Gaza since Israel's war against Hamas began."
What We Know
The claim that over 55,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war is supported by multiple credible sources. As of June 11, 2025, the Gaza Health Ministry reported that the death toll had surpassed 55,000, specifically stating that 55,104 individuals had been killed and 127,394 wounded since the conflict began on October 7, 2023 (AP News). This figure includes a significant number of women and children, who reportedly make up more than half of the casualties (AP News).
Additionally, other reports corroborate this figure. For example, a Wikipedia entry notes that as of June 18, 2025, the death toll had risen to over 57,800, indicating a continuing increase in casualties (Wikipedia). The Washington Post also confirmed that the death toll had exceeded 55,000, with injuries reported to be nearly 130,000 (Washington Post).
Analysis
The sources reporting the death toll include the Gaza Health Ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run government. While the ministry's figures have historically aligned with independent assessments, Israel has raised concerns about the accuracy of these numbers, suggesting that they may not differentiate adequately between combatants and civilians (AP News).
Despite these concerns, the ministry's data is consistent with reports from various independent news organizations and humanitarian groups, which have also documented the extensive casualties resulting from the ongoing conflict. For instance, PBS reported the same death toll of over 55,000, emphasizing the lack of distinction made between civilian and combatant deaths (PBS).
Critically, while the Gaza Health Ministry's figures are subject to scrutiny due to potential biases, the corroboration by multiple independent sources lends credibility to the reported numbers. Furthermore, the context of the conflict, including the high civilian casualties reported by various international organizations, supports the assertion that the death toll is indeed significant.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that over 55,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war is substantiated by multiple credible sources, including the Gaza Health Ministry and independent news outlets. Although there are concerns regarding the accuracy of the figures due to potential biases, the consistency across various reports supports the validity of the claim.
Sources
- More than 55,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war ...
- Casualties of the Gaza war
- Six key events that shaped the Middle East since Oct. 7, 2023
- Gaza death toll: how many Palestinians has Israel's offensive killed ...
- Gaza health officials say 55,000 Palestinians have died in Israel-Hamas ...
- More than 55,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war ...
- Israeli gunfire, strikes kill 120 Palestinians in Gaza, many at aid ...