Fact Check: Over 84,000 fatalities reported in Gaza due to Hamas-Israel war.

Fact Check: "Over 84,000 fatalities reported in Gaza due to Hamas-Israel war"

What We Know

The claim that over 84,000 fatalities have been reported in Gaza due to the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel is based on an independent survey conducted by researchers in collaboration with the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research. This survey estimates that approximately 84,000 people died in Gaza between October 2023 and early January 2025 as a result of the war, with more than half of those fatalities being women, children, or elderly individuals (Nature).

In contrast, the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza reported a lower figure of approximately 56,200 deaths as of June 25, 2025 (AP News). The Ministry's figures have been questioned regarding their reliability, particularly due to the ongoing conflict and attacks on medical facilities, which hinder accurate data collection (Nature).

Analysis

The independent survey's methodology involved interviewing 2,000 randomly selected households across Gaza, asking respondents to report on the status of household members since the onset of the conflict. This approach is considered robust, especially given the challenges of conducting research in a conflict zone (Nature). However, the survey has not yet undergone peer review, which raises questions about its reliability and the potential for biases in data collection.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health's figures, while lower, are based on official counts that have been regularly published. Critics argue that these figures may not fully capture the extent of casualties due to the ongoing violence and the limitations faced by health authorities in Gaza (AP News).

The discrepancy between the two sources highlights the difficulties in obtaining accurate mortality data during active conflict. The independent survey suggests a significantly higher death toll, which aligns with concerns raised about the humanitarian impact of the war. However, the lack of peer review and the challenges in data collection mean that the figures should be interpreted with caution.

Conclusion

The claim that over 84,000 fatalities have been reported in Gaza due to the Hamas-Israel war is Partially True. While the independent survey presents a compelling estimate that reflects the severe humanitarian crisis, the figures are not universally accepted and are subject to scrutiny. The Palestinian Ministry of Health's lower death toll illustrates the complexities and challenges of counting casualties in a conflict zone. Therefore, while the independent survey provides a higher estimate, the overall situation remains fluid and contentious, necessitating careful consideration of all available data.