KUALA LUMPUR - As the world observes the first anniversary of the war in Gaza, the statistics serve as a sobering reminder of the devastating toll it has taken on the Palestinian population.
One year on, the Israeli assault on Gaza has caused widespread destruction, immense loss of lives, and an enduring humanitarian crisis, according to the latest data compiled on Oct 1, 2024, released by Palestine International Forum for Media and Communication (Tawasol).
The human cost of the conflict is staggering. More than 51,615 individuals are either confirmed dead or missing, including 41,615 fatalities, among them 16,859 children and 11,429 women.
Additionally, 10,000 people remain unaccounted for, many presumed to be buried beneath rubble or left abandoned in the streets. A further 96,210 people have been injured, with women and children comprising 69 per cent of the wounded.
The effects of the war have been catastrophic not only due to direct violence but also from starvation and lack of medical care. At least 36 children have died of famine, with many more victims arriving at hospitals too late for treatment. A total of 171 newborns were killed during the conflict while 710 infants under the age of one year also lost their lives.
The data also indicates the war has displaced an estimated 2 million people in Gaza, forcing families into shelters, many of which were not designed to be habitable. Over 183 shelters were targeted during the Israeli airstrikes, and 100,000 tents used by refugees have been rendered unusable.
Thousands of children have been left orphaned by the violence, with 25,973 now without one or both parents.
Mass graves have been discovered throughout the region, with at least 130 graves containing hundreds of bodies, including 520 victims found in hospitals alone. Furthermore, 4,000 workers from Gaza were detained and tortured over 24 days, highlighting the severe human rights abuses that have accompanied the conflict.
Israeli airstrikes have dropped 45,000 missiles and bombs on the Gaza Strip, unleashing over 85,000 tonnes of explosives, which is more than six times the power of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. This bombardment has resulted in over 40 million tonnes of rubble spread across Gaza's governorates.
The destruction extends to key utilities: 70 per cent of electricity distribution networks have been destroyed, along with 700 wells and drinking water stations, leaving much of Gaza without access to essential services. 3,130 kilometres of electricity networks, 330,000 metres of water networks, and 665,000 metres of sewage systems have been obliterated, further deepening the crisis.
The health sector in Gaza has been crippled by the ongoing conflict, with more than 886 health personnel killed, with an additional 717 wounded. The situation is exacerbated by the detention and torture of 310 medical personnel.
Furthermore, 162 health institutions have been targeted during the aggression, destroying 34 hospitals and 80 health centres, all of which are now completely out of service.
Chronic patients are especially vulnerable, with 350,000 people unable to receive necessary treatments due to the blockade of medications. Among these, 10,000 cancer patients and 1,100 individuals requiring dialysis face life-threatening risks due to the unavailability of essential medical care. The war has also severely impacted maternal health, putting 60,000 pregnant women at risk from the lack of medical services.
Tawasol’s data also pointed out that the infrastructure supporting education has been severely damaged, with 461 schools and universities bombed. Of these, 123 institutions were completely destroyed. As a result, 29 per cent of school buildings are no longer usable, either completely demolished or too severely damaged to operate.
This destruction has left 625,000 students unable to enrol in the educational system, and 88,000 university students have been prevented from continuing their studies. Furthermore, 133 government schools are being used as shelter centres, further reducing educational capacity in the region.
A total of 174 Palestinian journalists and media professionals have been killed, including 12 female journalists. Additionally, 80 journalists have been injured, and 36 are known to be detained.
These attacks have not only claimed lives but also severely hindered the ability to report on the conflict and its humanitarian consequences, further isolating Gaza from the outside world.
The region’s rich archaeological and heritage sites have also been decimated, with 206 archaeological and heritage locations destroyed during the conflict. These losses represent not only a blow to the spiritual and cultural life of the Palestinian people but also the erasure of centuries of history and heritage that are irreplaceable.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has also been severely impacted, with 152 UNRWA employees killed and 170 UNRWA buildings targeted in airstrikes.
Over 231 shelter centres were opened to accommodate the displaced, yet these shelters lack basic necessities for survival.
The destruction of infrastructure is compounded by the obliteration of 70 per cent of electricity distribution networks and 3,130 kilometres of electrical grid, leaving large areas of Gaza in darkness. Water supply and sanitation services have also been severely compromised, with 700 wells and 330,000 linear metres of water networks destroyed, alongside 665,000 linear metres of sewage networks. This has left the region on the verge of a public health crisis.
The data also pointed out the total economic cost of these losses is staggering, with estimates placing the direct initial losses from the war at over US$33 billion.
As the world marks the first anniversary of this conflict, it is clear that the people of Gaza continue to suffer under one of the most destructive wars in recent history. The figures represent more than just numbers; they tell a harrowing story of loss, resilience, and the urgent need for international humanitarian intervention. - BERNAMA