Gaza death toll could exceed 200,000, new population data suggests
A leading human rights expert warns that the death toll in Gaza may surpass 200,000, based on population decline data. Stuart Casey-Maslen of the Geneva Academy cited a more than 10% drop in Gaza's population since 2023, indicating a far higher casualty figure than the confirmed 70,000. He described an ongoing humanitarian crisis requiring urgent aid and years of reconstruction.
The human cost of the conflict in Gaza may be significantly higher than reported, with the death toll potentially exceeding 200,000, according to analysis from the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights. Stuart Casey-Maslen, head of the academy, pointed to data showing Gaza's population has declined by over 10% since October 2023, suggesting a catastrophic loss of life that far surpasses the confirmed figure of approximately 70,000 fatalities.
A Humanitarian Crisis Persists
In an interview following the release of the academy's "War Watch" report, Casey-Maslen stated that while heavy hostilities have paused, the suffering in Gaza continues. "We remain deeply concerned about the predicament of all the population in Gaza," he told Anadolu Agency, emphasizing the desperate need for expanded humanitarian aid, including food, water, shelter, and medical care. He starkly noted, "People continue to go to die in Gaza," citing a lack of treatment for the injured.
Discrepancy in Fatality Figures
Casey-Maslen explained that the confirmed death count only accounts for recovered bodies, with many more presumed buried under rubble. Citing a Palestinian Bureau of Statistics report on population decline, he said, "that suggests a very dramatic impact that is far in excess of the quoted 70,000 figure." He stressed these figures require verification but indicate the scale of the tragedy. "We're talking over 200,000 if those figures are correct... It's clearly a dramatic loss of life."
Legal Findings and Long Road Ahead
The expert also addressed legal assessments, referencing a UN Commission of Inquiry finding that genocide occurred in Gaza. He argued the event did not begin on October 7, 2023, but was part of a longer pattern. Looking forward, Casey-Maslen described an "extraordinary" scale of destruction that will require "years of rebuilding" and billions of dollars. He expressed disappointment at the lack of progress on International Criminal Court arrest warrants and a hope for eventual justice for unlawful killings.
Advertisement
Comments you share on our site are a valuable resource for other users. Please be respectful of different opinions and other users. Avoid using rude, aggressive, derogatory, or discriminatory language.