Lancet's Shocking Revelation: Gaza's Death Toll Could Surge Beyond 186,000, with Lingering Health Risks in the Long Run

A recent study published in the medical journal Lancet warns that the death toll from Israel's war on Gaza could soar past 186,000. 

The staggering figure underscores the severe human cost of the ongoing conflict and raises urgent questions about its humanitarian impact. The study found that this figure represents nearly 8 percent of Gaza's pre-war population of 2.3 million. 

Lancet also cautioned that the actual death toll might be significantly higher because of the widespread destruction of health facilities, food distribution networks, and other essential infrastructure. It also suggests the official death toll is underestimated, as it does not account for thousands buried under rubble. 

The study stated that conflicts have indirect health effects beyond the direct harm from violence. Even if the Gaza war ends now, it will still lead to numerous indirect deaths in the coming months and years due to diseases and other factors. 

According to Airwars, a transparency watchdog that investigates civilian casualties in conflict zones, the names of identifiable victims are frequently left out of the ministry’s official fatality lists. 

The extensive damage to the strip's infrastructure has necessitated authorities to rely on information provided by media sources and first responders for updates. A statement acknowledged that this reliance has inevitably led to a reduction in the accuracy of previously detailed data. Furthermore, the ministry has begun to report separately the number of unidentified bodies within the total death toll. 

The Lancet study highlighted that Israeli intelligence services, the UN, and the World Health Organization all consider accusations of data fabrication concerning the death toll in Gaza by Palestinian authorities to be "implausible." 

The study pointed out that the International Court of Justice said in interim rulings in January in a genocide case brought against Israel that it needs to “take effective measures to prevent the destruction and ensure the preservation of evidence related to allegations of acts” under the Genocide Convention. 

The Lancet study also addressed claims of data fabrication by Gaza’s Health Ministry, stating that Israeli intelligence, the UN and the World Health Organization all find such accusations “implausible.” 

It stated, "Accurately documenting the scale of the impact is essential for historical accountability and recognizing the complete toll of the conflict. It is also a legal obligation."