Since the war with Israel began 15 months ago, Gaza population has decreased by 6%, according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS). Over 100,000 Palestinians have left the enclave, while more than 55,000 people are presumed dead.
The PCBS, citing data from the Palestinian Health Ministry, revealed that 45,500 Palestinians, primarily women and children, have been killed. Furthermore, 11,000 individuals remain missing, contributing to the ongoing population decline. Consequently, Gaza’s population now stands at 2.1 million, with children under 18 accounting for 47% of the total.
Meanwhile, the PCBS described the situation as “catastrophic,” noting Israel’s attacks on humans, buildings, and critical infrastructure. Entire families, it stated, have been erased from the civil registry, resulting in widespread human and material losses.
In response, Israel’s foreign ministry dismissed the PCBS data as “fabricated, inflated, and manipulated to vilify Israel.” However, international scrutiny has intensified, with allegations of genocide against Israel gaining global attention.
In January 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Israel must prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians. Additionally, Pope Francis urged the global community to evaluate whether Israel’s actions in Gaza amount to genocide. Despite this, Israel has repeatedly denied the accusations, defending its actions as lawful and necessary after a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, killed 1,200 Israelis.
On another front, food insecurity in Gaza has reached alarming levels. The PCBS reported that 22% of Gaza’s population faces acute food shortages. Among those affected, approximately 3,500 children are at risk of death due to severe malnutrition.
As the war persists, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to deepen, affecting both its population and vital infrastructure. This ongoing tragedy demands urgent global attention and immediate action to alleviate the suffering of Gaza’s residents.
