4 times more civilians killed in ongoing Israeli airstrikes than previous Gaza operations, study finds

The fatality average in the current Israel-Hamas conflict which began on October 7 is said to be far higher than in the three previous Israeli air attacks in the region. The report also stated that the most deadly was ‘Operation Protective Edge’ in the summer of 2014, where the equivalent figure was 2.5.

During two other Israeli air campaigns in Gaza, in 2012 and 2021, the averages were 1.3 and 1.7 respectively.

Data collected by the AOAV

The data in the study is based on English-language media reports captured by Action on Armed Violence (AOAV).

Media reports of 276 fatalities-causing airstrikes were used to derive the average for the conflict. A total of 2,798 Palestinians were reported to have been killed in the incidents monitored and a further 1,306 were injured.

The figures are restricted to an analysis of airstrikes where casualties (killed or injured) were reported and recorded (non-injurious air strikes are not captured). The report mentioned that it does not capture all harm and is not indicative of total numbers killed or injured.

Within its methodology, the AOAV also highlighted that only about one third of all incidents in Gaza are currently being individually captured by English language media, with most reporting on cumulative data from the Hamas-run Gaza’s Ministry of Health.

Meanwhile, Israel is facing increased international pressure, including from the United States, to do more to protect civilians in Gaza. The death toll has surpassed up to 11,078 since hostilities began on October 7 when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel.

The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his visit to India on Friday said: “Far too many Palestinians have been killed; far too many have suffered these past weeks.” He aslo reaffirmed US support for Israel’s campaign to ensure that Gaza can no longer be used “as a platform for launching terrorism.”

After French President Emmanuel Macron said Israel must stop bombing Gaza and killing civilians, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded saying world leaders should be condemning Hamas, and not Israel. “These crimes that Hamas (is) committing today in Gaza will be committed tomorrow in Paris, New York and anywhere in the world,” Netanyahu said. Macron, in a BBC interview published late on Friday, said France “clearly condemns” the “terrorist” actions of Hamas, but that while recognising Israel’s right to protect itself, “we do urge them to stop this bombing” in Gaza.