A new study published in the Lancet medical journal reports that over 75,000 people were killed in the first 16 months of the two-year war in Gaza. This number is at least 25,000 more than the death toll given by local authorities at the time. The research confirms that the Gaza health ministry correctly reported the share of women, children, and elderly among the dead. Between October 7, 2023, and January 5, 2025, 42,200 women, children, and elderly died, making up 56% of the violent deaths in the region. The study says about 3-4% of Gaza’s population was violently killed, with many more dying indirectly due to conflict effects like malnutrition and disease. Researchers surveyed 2,000 families across Gaza to reach these numbers, led by experts including economist Michael Spagat from Royal Holloway, University of London. He stated, “This is a very sensitive survey, and potentially very upsetting [for respondents], so it was important to have Palestinians both asking and answering the questions.” Spagat also questioned previous estimates of indirect deaths, saying Gaza’s unique conditions and medical resources kept such deaths relatively lower than in other conflicts. He cautioned against underestimating the death toll but noted that figures might cause desensitization. The violent conflict began with a Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, killing about 1,200 people and triggering a massive Israeli offensive with airstrikes and artillery in Gaza. Israeli officials previously claimed their attacks killed almost equal numbers of combatants and civilians, but this study disputes that claim. Israeli and Gaza health authorities now agree the death toll exceeds 70,000. However, exact counts remain controversial and will take time and resources to verify fully. According to Spagat, “It will be a long time before we get to a full accounting of all the people killed in Gaza, if we ever get there.”