A recent publication in The Lancet, the world’s oldest medical journal, suggests that Israel may have killed over 186,000 Palestinians since October 7th. This figure, presented in a leading Western medical journal, is claimed to be four times higher than official UN estimates, a fact that has largely been overlooked by mainstream media.
Underreported Fatalities and Methods of Obstruction
The report from The Lancet also highlights methods employed by Israel and Western allies to impede the Gaza Health Ministry’s ability to accurately record deaths, compounding an already monumental task. The journal asserts that the official death toll might be a gross underestimation.
With current fatalities reported to be over 38,000, predominantly women and children, The Lancet argues that the actual number could be significantly higher. The highly respected and peer-reviewed publication estimates the death toll could be up to four times higher than what is reported by the Gaza Health Ministry.
Gaza Health Ministry’s Challenges
The Gaza Health Ministry, once praised for its accuracy by the UN, UNWRA, and even the World Health Organization, is now severely hampered. The Israeli Defense Forces and the Israeli government have historically cited the Ministry’s figures for accuracy, yet publicly criticized them as manipulated.
Now, the Ministry’s ability to record and identify bodies is severely limited due to the destruction of infrastructure. Previously reliant on hospitals and reports from individuals, the Ministry now uses additional sources like reliable media and first responders. This has resulted in a decline in data accuracy and reliability. As of May 10, 2024, 30% of the 35,091 reported deaths were unidentified, leading to questions about the credibility of the reported figures by some Zionist officials and Western news agencies.
Unaccounted Bodies and Estimates by NGOs
Non-governmental organization Airwars reports that many individuals remain unaccounted for, including those buried in rubble. The UN estimates that over one-third of buildings in Gaza have been destroyed, suggesting thousands of bodies are yet to be found. Airwars also notes that not all identified names appear in the Ministry’s lists.
Israelis, aware of these issues, have targeted sources of information to disrupt data collection. This strategy has further impeded the Health Ministry’s ability to identify bodies since May.
Shocking New Estimates
The Lancet’s report estimates the actual death toll could be as high as 186,000 people. This figure, drawn from indirect death calculations, considers disease, lack of medical supplies, injuries, food shortages, destroyed agriculture, lack of water, power, shelter, and other factors.
The ratio of four indirect deaths per direct death, based on a UN Office of Drugs and Crime study, helps arrive at this estimate. This suggests the death toll could account for roughly 8% of Gaza’s nearly 2.4 million population.
Western Response
U.S. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller acknowledged that the death toll could be higher than officially recorded, stating, “The death toll could very well be more; we know there are potentially people who are under rubble who have not been counted.”
UK MP Zara Sultana responded to The Lancet’s report by calling for an end to arms sales to Israel, citing the estimated death toll as more than 8% of Gaza’s population. She has been vocal about the genocide, despite backlash from Zionist and Israeli media outlets, who have dismissed the report and labeled it as misinformation and antisemitic.
Credibility of the Study
The authors of the report, including Martin McKee, Rasha Khatib, and Salim Yusuf, along with their study team, ensured the accuracy and objectivity of their findings. McKee, who serves on the editorial board of the Israel Journal of Health Policy Research, brings added credibility to the report.
Despite criticism, the publication of this evidence in a peer-reviewed journal adds weight to the claims against the Zionist narrative. It increases pressure on Western governments, challenging the mainstream media’s reluctance to cover the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
