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Gaza Conflict: 83% of Palestinian Deaths Were Civilians, Leaked Data Suggests
An investigation using leaked Israeli military data suggests that 83% of the approximately 53,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza between October 7, 2023, and May 2025, were civilians, a figure disputed by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).
- How does the civilian casualty rate in the Gaza conflict compare to that of other conflicts, and what factors might explain any significant differences?
- This finding challenges Israel's justifications for deadly attacks on civilian infrastructure, which it often attributes to the presence of Hamas fighters. The high civilian casualty rate is unusual, especially given the conflict's duration, according to conflict researcher Therese Petterson, who notes that such high percentages are often seen in specific events like sieges, citing the Battle of Mariupol as an example.
- What percentage of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in Gaza between October 7, 2023, and May 2025 were civilians, according to an investigation using confidential Israeli military data?
- An investigation by The Guardian, +972 Magazine, and Locall Call, using confidential Israeli military data, reveals that approximately 83% of the roughly 53,000 Palestinians killed by Israel in Gaza between October 7, 2023, and May 2025, were civilians. The Israeli military claims these figures are incorrect, but did not deny tracking the number of militants killed.
- What are the potential legal and political implications of the disproportionately high number of civilian casualties in Gaza, and what steps could be taken to prevent similar outcomes in future conflicts?
- The discrepancy between Israel's claims and the independent investigation's findings raises concerns about the proportionality of the Israeli military's actions and potential violations of international humanitarian law. The exceptionally high civilian death toll underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive investigation into the conduct of the conflict and its impact on civilians.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The headline and introduction immediately emphasize the claim that five out of six Palestinians killed were civilians, framing the narrative to highlight civilian casualties. The article places more emphasis on the findings of the three media outlets than on the IDF's rebuttal, creating a bias towards supporting the former. The comparison with the Mariupol siege, while factually accurate, strengthens the emphasis on civilian casualties in the Gaza conflict and might inadvertently influence reader interpretation. The structure of the article highlights civilian casualties disproportionately compared to presenting a balanced perspective on the overall conflict.
Language Bias
The language used is mostly neutral, however, phrases such as "unusually high" (in reference to civilian casualties) may imply a subjective judgement on the data presented. While the article aims to present the facts, the selection and emphasis of specific data points, particularly the high civilian casualty rate, could implicitly frame the IDF's actions negatively. More objective wording, such as phrasing that describes the casualty numbers without commentary, would enhance the neutrality of the report.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the claim that five out of six Palestinians killed by Israel in Gaza were civilians, based on a report by The Guardian, +972 Magazine, and Local Call. However, it omits crucial information such as the methodology used by these outlets to arrive at their figures. The IDF's claim that the numbers are incorrect is mentioned, but no further investigation into the discrepancies is presented. The article also lacks details on the IDF's counter-arguments or evidence supporting their position, leading to an unbalanced presentation. The inclusion of the Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP) comparison to the Mariupol siege, while relevant to the discussion of civilian casualties in conflict, might unintentionally overshadow the need for a deeper examination of the Gaza conflict data.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a false dichotomy by focusing primarily on the civilian versus militant casualty numbers, simplifying a complex conflict. It doesn't explore the nuances of the situation, such as the potential for combatants to be embedded within civilian populations, the difficulties in distinguishing between combatants and non-combatants during active conflict, or the potential for inaccurate casualty reporting from either side. The presentation of the numbers creates an overly simplified view, neglecting the complexities of the conflict.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights a significant number of civilian casualties in the Gaza conflict, indicating a failure to protect civilians and uphold international humanitarian law. The discrepancy between the Israeli army's figures and the overall death toll suggests a potential lack of accountability and transparency in the conflict. This undermines peace, justice, and the establishment of strong institutions.