New Study Highlights Unprecedented Civilian Toll
A comprehensive household survey conducted by Professor Michael Spagat of Royal Holloway, University of London, reveals that:
- 75,200 people were killed by direct violence from Israeli munitions as of January 2025
- An additional 8,540 deaths were attributed to indirect war-related causes, including hunger, disease, and cold
- The Gaza Health Ministry has since reported over 10,000 more deaths not included in this estimate
“We’re probably at something like 4% of the population killed,” said Spagat. “I’m not sure there’s another case in the 21st century that’s reached that high.”
Children and Women Make Up Majority of the Dead
- 56% of those killed were children under 18 or women
- This proportion is more than double the civilian share in other modern conflicts:
- Kosovo: 20%
- Syria: 20%
- Sudan: 23%
- Northern Ethiopia: 9%
“That’s an exceptional figure when compared with almost every other conflict since World War II,” Haaretz noted.
Why This Matters: A Humanitarian and Legal Crisis
Despite mounting international calls for a ceasefire, Israel’s offensive continues. Legal consequences are unfolding:
- In November 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity
- Separately, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is hearing a genocide case against Israel over its actions in Gaza
“Gaza is apparently in first place in terms of the ratio of combatants to noncombatants killed, as well as in rate of death relative to population size,” the report stated.
Visual Suggestions:
- Infographic: Percentage of population killed in modern conflicts
- Chart: Civilian death ratio comparison (Gaza vs. Syria, Sudan, Kosovo)
- Map: Gaza conflict zones and damage intensity
- Quote Card: “4% of the population killed” – Prof. Michael Spagat
