News Report by The Pak Global Pakistan
Recent independent studies published in leading medical journals have confirmed that the true human toll of the ongoing conflict in Gaza far surpasses earlier official reports. The Gaza Mortality Survey (GMS), published in The Lancet Global Health, estimates over 75,000 violent deaths between October 7, 2023, and January 5, 2025. This figure is approximately 35% higher than the Gaza Ministry of Health’s (MoH) official count of around 49,000 deaths for the same period, confirming that MoH data likely represents a conservative minimum.
The survey, based on interviews with 2,000 households encompassing nearly 10,000 individuals, validates the MoH’s casualty figures despite challenges from the destruction of vital health infrastructure. The study also highlights that women, children, and the elderly account for over half of the deaths, underscoring the devastating impact on Gaza’s civilian population.
Beyond violent deaths, the research identifies an additional 16,300 non-violent deaths caused by worsening living conditions and the collapse of medical services amid the blockade. This “excess mortality” reflects the broader humanitarian crisis affecting Gaza.
The healthcare system in Gaza is now overwhelmed, with only 12 of 36 hospitals functioning at a basic level and hospital beds reduced by two-thirds. A separate study projects over 116,000 injuries requiring urgent medical attention, with tens of thousands needing complex reconstructive surgery. However, Gaza’s limited surgical capacity, compounded by the destruction of medical facilities and shortages of specialized surgeons, means that many survivors face lifelong disabilities.
Researchers emphasize the “grey zone” of mortality where indirect deaths—such as those from infections or untreated injuries—blur the lines between combat casualties and the broader health impact of war. The ongoing conflict, forced evacuations, and famine conditions have only worsened this crisis.
The studies collectively call for urgent international action to halt hostilities and restore humanitarian aid, warning that without an immediate ceasefire, Gaza’s health and human losses will continue to escalate.