Conflict Death Toll: The Gaza Health Ministry reports that more than 60,000 Palestinians have perished in the 21-month Israel-Hamas war.
The 21-month conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has taken a devastating toll on the civilian population, according to data from the Gaza Health Ministry and other monitoring sources.
Since the war's major turn in early March, at least 8,867 Palestinians have been killed, with women and children making up around half of the deceased. As of mid-2025, the estimated Palestinian casualties stand at over 57,000 deaths.
Approximately 17,000 children are among the dead, and it's estimated that around 80% of those killed were civilians. The conflict has also resulted in vast areas of Gaza being destroyed, causing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
The conflict, which started on October 7, 2023, has displaced around 90% of the Gaza population. The Gaza Health Ministry, part of the Hamas-run government, is the most reliable source for casualty counts in the conflict.
The war took a major turn in early March when Israel imposed a complete 2 1/2 month blockade, barring the entry of all food, medicine, fuel, and other goods. This blockade has caused hardships in the supply of essential items, and experts have warned of the possibility of famine in Gaza due to the conflict.
Israel has seized large areas of Gaza as part of its measures to pressure Hamas to release more hostages. Hamas-led militants abducted 251 people, and are still holding 50 captives, with around 20 believed to be alive.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claim to have killed around 9,000 Hamas militants, wounded 8,000 more, and arrested another 2,300, removing 48-60% of Hamas forces. However, these figures cover only militants, not total casualties.
The conflict included heavy Israeli offensives and ground invasions, with Israel targeting Hamas leadership and forces. Palestinian casualties include both deaths and a much larger number of wounded, though specific injury numbers vary and are less consistently reported. Israeli casualties are significantly lower, with about 1,200 Israelis killed during the initial Hamas surprise attack.
The numbers represent the best-available estimates but are subject to uncertainties due to the ongoing nature of the conflict, overwhelmed reporting infrastructure, and difficulties in independently verifying casualties. The casualty toll is considered conservative by some sources, and the death count has increased over time as hostilities continued through 2024 into 2025.
In summary, the data illustrates the severe human toll on Gazan civilians and combatants throughout the prolonged Israel-Hamas war from late 2023 into mid-2025. The conflict has resulted in the death of 60,034 Palestinians, displaced the majority of the population, and caused a catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
The war-and-conflicts between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, mainly focused on politics, has resulted in a substantial health crisis within the region. As of mid-2025, over 60,000 Palestinians have lost their lives, with children and civilians making up a significant proportion of the casualties, according to the Gaza Health Ministry and other monitoring sources. The ongoing conflict has also destroyed vast areas of Gaza, exacerbating the general-news of a severe humanitarian crisis in the region.
