Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stirred controversy with his recent remarks on casualties in the Gaza war, stating that nearly half of those killed were Hamas fighters. The statement, made during a podcast interview, has ignited debate over the civilian toll in the conflict.
According to Netanyahu, the death toll in Gaza was approximately 30,000, with Hamas fighters accounting for nearly half of that figure. This assertion contradicts the numbers provided by authorities in the Palestinian territory, who reported over 35,000 casualties during the seven-month-long war between Israel and Palestinian militants.
Gazan authorities have repeatedly stated that a large majority of those killed in the conflict were women and children. The United Nations and several countries have expressed concern over the high number of civilian deaths, with UN rights chief Volker Turk warning that children are disproportionately affected by the violence.
Netanyahu defended Israel’s actions, claiming that the ratio of civilians to combatants killed was approximately one to one. He cited figures suggesting that around 14,000 militants and 16,000 civilians had been killed during the conflict.
These remarks come amid increased scrutiny of Israel’s military operations in Gaza, particularly regarding civilian casualties. The United States, Israel’s chief military supplier, has paused the delivery of weapons and warned of consequences if Israel conducts a full-scale invasion of certain areas in Gaza.
A recent report from the US State Department acknowledged concerns about Israel’s use of American arms but stopped short of reaching conclusive findings. The Gaza war, which erupted after Hamas’s attack on Israel, resulted in significant casualties and hostage-taking incidents.
Netanyahu’s comments have reignited debates over the Gaza conflict and raised questions about the civilian toll and Israel’s military operations. The issue remains a point of contention in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with international observers closely monitoring developments in the region.
