Fact Check: "Over 56,000 Palestinians killed in the Israel-Hamas war, mostly women and children."
What We Know
The claim that over 56,000 Palestinians have been killed in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war is supported by multiple reports from the Gaza Health Ministry, which stated that the death toll had surpassed 55,000 as of June 11, 2025, and later reports indicated it had reached approximately 56,000 by June 24, 2025 (AP News, AP News). The Gaza Health Ministry, which is affiliated with Hamas, does not differentiate between civilian and combatant deaths but asserts that more than half of the deceased are women and children (AP News, AP News).
The context of these deaths includes ongoing military operations by Israel, which began following a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, that resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 Israelis, primarily civilians (AP News). The Israeli military contends that it targets militants and blames civilian casualties on Hamas for operating within civilian areas (AP News).
Analysis
While the reported death toll of over 56,000 Palestinians is corroborated by the Gaza Health Ministry, the reliability of this figure is subject to scrutiny. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government, and its statistics have been questioned by Israeli officials who argue that the numbers may not accurately reflect the distinction between combatants and civilians (AP News).
Moreover, independent verification of these figures is complicated by the ongoing conflict and the challenges faced by international observers in accessing the region. Past reports have shown that casualty figures from the Gaza Health Ministry have aligned with those from independent sources in previous conflicts, lending some credibility to their current claims (AP News). However, the lack of independent verification in the current context raises concerns about potential bias in the reported numbers.
Regarding the assertion that "mostly women and children" are among the deceased, the Gaza Health Ministry claims that over half of the fatalities fall into these categories (AP News). However, an analysis by the Associated Press noted that the proportion of women and children killed has reportedly declined sharply in recent months, suggesting that while they do constitute a significant portion of the casualties, the situation may be more complex than the claim implies (AP News).
Conclusion
The claim that over 56,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war, with a significant number being women and children, is Partially True. While the reported death toll is supported by the Gaza Health Ministry, the lack of independent verification and the potential for bias in the reporting necessitate caution in fully endorsing the claim. Additionally, while a considerable number of women and children are among the casualties, the assertion that they represent "mostly" the deceased may not fully reflect the evolving dynamics of the conflict.
