The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) reports a massive decline in Gaza’s population since the war with Israel began 15 months ago. While an estimated 100,000 Palestinians have hastily escaped the enclave, over 55,000 are presumed to have passed away.
The war has resulted in a population decrease of approximately 160,000, leaving 2.1 million residents in Gaza. Over 47% of the remaining population are children under 18, said PCBS.
To add on, the PCBS further attributes the devastating toll to Israel’s “brutal aggression,” citing widespread destruction of infrastructure and civilian casualties. However, Israel has dismissed the PCBS data as “fabricated.”
Not only this but the scale of death and destruction has led to accusations of genocide against Israel. The International Court of Justice, Amnesty International, and Pope Francis have raised concerns. Israel vehemently denies these accusations, maintaining its right to self-defense.
Amid these ongoing conflicts, 90% of Gaza’s population has been internally displaced, sparking severe humanitarian crisis concerns. The healthcare system is on the verge of collapse due to attacks on hospitals. The PCBS reports that 22% of Gaza’s population faces catastrophic levels of food insecurity, with 3,500 children at risk of death from malnutrition.
