The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed they killed “two Palestinian for every Hamas militant” in their air and ground offensive in Gaza, killing over 16,000 Palestinians. After Israel-Hamas peace talks failed, the fighting resumed. Let us stand with Gazans and demand an immediate end to their misery.
Israel and Hamas have been fighting in Gaza for two months. Over 16,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza, according to the Health ministry. In an interview with CNN, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said they killed ‘two Palestinian for every Hamas militant’ in their continuous bombing and ground offensive in Gaza.
After unsuccessful ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas this week, Gaza combat resumed.
One Israeli official told AFP, “The numbers are more or less right [about] 5,000 Hamas fighters killed since 7 October.”
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, nearly 10,000 civilians have killed. IDF spokesperson Jonathan Conricus has confirmed this.
Conricus said, “If that is true—and I think our numbers will be corroborated—if you compare that ratio to any other urban conflict between a military and a terrorist organization using civilians as human shields and embedded in the civilian population, you will find that that ratio is tremendous, tremendously positive, and possibly unique in the world.”
Before, the IDF spokeswoman called the killing ratio “tremendously positive.”
On Tuesday, a UN official called Conricus’ statements “tasteless.”
The IDF estimates that Hamas had 30,000 combatants before its historic attack on Israel on October 7.
At a Saturday press conference, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the IDF has killed “thousands of terrorists.” No Israeli military estimate of deaths has been released.
The UN reported 2,251 Palestinian deaths in Gaza’s 50-day hostilities in 2014, 1,462 of them civilians. That is 1.8 civilians per non-civilian.
The continuing struggle between Benjamin Netanyahu’s Israel and Hamas fighters from Gaza has killed more people than any preceding Israeli conflict with Hamas or other Islamic extremists in Gaza.
Conclusion
The ongoing conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas has resulted in a devastating humanitarian crisis, with over 16,000 lives lost, including civilians and combatants. The high civilian casualties, exacerbated by the IDF’s acknowledged “two Palestinians for every Hamas militant” death ratio, raise serious concerns about the conduct of the offensive. The collapse of peace talks has only fueled the escalating violence, highlighting the urgent need for a negotiated settlement. The international community must act decisively to support humanitarian efforts in Gaza, advocate for peace, and raise awareness about the human cost of this war. Let us stand united in solidarity with the people of Gaza and demand an immediate end to their suffering.
