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The Lancet report "Counting the Dead in Gaza: difficult but essential,"
released on July 5, 2024, highlights the immense challenges in accurately
recording casualties the Gaza Health Ministry faces due to ongoing hostilities,
infrastructure collapse, and disrupted communication and also discusses the
severity of the conflict's indirect health implications.
"Applying a conservative estimate of four indirect deaths per one direct death
to the 37,396 deaths reported, it is not implausible to estimate that up to
186,000 or even more deaths could be attributable to the current conflict in
Gaza. Using the 2022 Gaza Strip population estimate of 2,375,259 would translate
to 7·9% of the total population in the Gaza Strip." These indirect deaths may
occur from poor hygienic conditions among the displaced population,
malnutrition, and communicable and non-communicable diseases, which pose severe
risks due to the deteriorated state of public health infrastructure in Gaza and
may affect the population for years after the conflict ends.
The Report emphasizes that "An immediate and urgent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip
is essential, accompanied by measures to enable the distribution of medical
supplies, food, clean water, and other resources for basic human needs. At the
same time, there is a need to record the scale and nature of suffering in this
conflict. Documenting the true scale is crucial for ensuring historical
accountability and acknowledging the full cost of the war."
Counting the Dead in Gaza: difficult but essential (The Lancet, 7-5-24)
Death toll in Gaza could exceed 186,000: The Lancet (TRT World, 7-5-24)
The Lancet: Gaza death toll could reach 186,000 (5 Pillars UK, 7-5-24)
'Unfathomable': Lancet Study Estimates Gaza Death Toll May Exceed 186,000 (Common Dreams, 7-8-24)