15 Months of Israeli Genocide: Gaza in Humanitarian Crisis and Destruction

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Israel’s genocide against the Gaza Strip over the past 15 months has created a severe humanitarian catastrophe, leaving more than 47,000 Palestinians dead, mostly children and women, and thousands more missing under the rubble, as reported by Anadolu Agency on Sunday night.

However, a recent study suggests that the number of Palestinians killed in Gaza is likely much higher. The study, conducted by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and published in the journal The Lancet, said there were around 64,260 “deaths from traumatic injuries” in Gaza between October 7, 2023 and June 30, 2024.

The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza put the figure at 37,877 at the time.

By October 2024, the number of Gazans killed by violence is expected to exceed 70,000, the study said, based on unreported estimates.

The total death toll from Israel’s military campaign is likely to be much higher, the study said, because its analysis did not take into account deaths caused by disruptions to health services, lack of food, clean water and sanitation, and disease.

Israel has intensified its airstrikes since Oct. 7, 2023, targeting civilian infrastructure and leaving the territory in ruins, according to data from the Gaza government.

The more than 470-day bombardment has destroyed civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools and shelters, forcing millions to flee.

In addition to targeting 717 water wells, leaving Gaza without an adequate water supply, the Israeli military has destroyed 88 percent of the territory.

The estimated cost of the destruction is $37 billion.

Civilian casualties: Women and children suffer the most

The Gaza government says women and children make up 70 percent of the casualties in the onslaught. More than 17,800 children, including 240 infants, and 12,298 women were killed, while 1,600 families were wiped out in attacks that specifically targeted them.

A total of 35,074 children have lost at least one parent, some 60,000 women remain at risk due to inadequate health services, and 785,000 children have been deprived of their right to education.

Destruction of the Health Sector

The health sector has faced a major disaster, with 162 health facilities targeted, rendering 34 hospitals and 80 health centers inoperable.

More than 1,000 health professionals and 94 civil defense workers have been killed in the line of duty.

According to Dr Ghassan Abu Sitta, a British-Palestinian plastic and reconstructive surgeon, in a tweet on the X platform on Sunday night, Israel has killed three of the five consultant pathologists in Gaza.

The 15-month Israeli attack, according to Abu Sitta, who is the Chancellor of the University of Glasgow, has also killed all kidney and emergency medicine specialists in Gaza.

Urgent medical care is needed for 12,660 patients and 12,500 cancer patients are unable to access treatment due to restrictions on humanitarian aid.

The last functioning hospital in North Gaza, Kamal Adwan, stopped operating after the Israeli attack, and its director is still missing after being detained.

The Israeli military has destroyed 136 schools and universities, and damaged 355 others, severely disrupting access to education.

In addition, 823 mosques and 19 cemeteries have been bombed, and three centuries-old churches have also been destroyed.

Blockade and Famine

The Israeli blockade of Gaza has prevented the entry of humanitarian aid and fuel, worsening the dire conditions.

More than 3,500 children face malnutrition-related deaths, while 44 child victims died of starvation and malnutrition.

Medicines for 350,000 chronically ill patients have been blocked, putting many lives at risk. This shortage has led to the outbreak of deadly diseases, especially among refugees.

Refugees and the Shelter Crisis

More than 2 million Gazans have been displaced, many of whom are forced to live in makeshift shelters that lack basic living conditions.

Israel has targeted 218 shelters, including those operated by the UN, forcing Palestinian civilians to flee even the “safe zones” that Israel has established.

A total of 161,600 homes have been destroyed by Israeli attacks, 82,000 of which have been rendered unusable. A total of 110,000 tents housing Palestinians are not in livable conditions as extreme cold in shelters recently claimed the lives of eight people, including seven children.

Journalists Targeted

Journalists covering the crisis have not escaped attention. Israel has killed 204 Palestinian journalists, injured 399 and detained 43, whose whereabouts remain unknown.

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