A recent study estimates that more than 680,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza since the conflict began in October 2023, including nearly 479,000 children. The research accounts for both direct deaths from violence and indirect deaths caused by starvation, disease, and lack of medical care.
The study, which reviewed data up to April 2025, applied a ratio of four indirect deaths for every direct death from trauma. By that time, 136,000 people had died directly, leading to an estimated 544,000 indirect deaths. This total far exceeds official counts from Gaza’s Health Ministry, which reported 64,718 deaths as of September 2025.
Among the victims, approximately 380,000 were children under the age of five, and 99,000 were older children. Overall, nearly 70% of those killed were women and children. Researchers emphasize that Israel’s blockade has worsened malnutrition and disease, particularly among the young.
United Nations agencies, including UNICEF, report similar trends, noting that over 50,000 children have been killed or injured since the start of the war. In 2025 alone, at least 74 children died in the first week of the year, with an average of 28 dying daily due to attacks or hunger.
The conflict has also caused widespread famine, affecting more than 500,000 people in Gaza. Israel says it targets Hamas fighters while taking precautions to avoid civilian casualties. However, leaked military data suggests that 83% of those killed are civilians. A former Israeli military chief confirmed that over 200,000 Palestinians have been killed or injured since the war began.
The UN has called for an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian aid access. Experts warn that without urgent action, the death toll is likely to rise further.
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