The devastation of Israel’s war in Gaza has been further shown in statistics published by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees on the eve of the conflict’s second anniversary.
More than 66,000 Palestinians – including over 18,000 children – have been killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023, according to a factsheet from the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
Gaza’s health ministry reported a higher figure on Saturday of more than 67,000, and nearly 170,000 others wounded.
Other key figures highlighted by the UN factsheet include:
- Nearly all of Gaza’s residents have been displaced, many multiple times.
- Nearly 80 percent of structures have been damaged or destroyed across Gaza, and over 98 percent of cropland has been damaged, made inaccessible, or both.
- There have been 455 malnutrition-related deaths, including over 150 children.
- Over 790 attacks have been recorded on health workers, patients, hospitals and other medical facilities.
- Nearly 660,000 children have been forced out of school for the third consecutive year and almost 92 percent of schools are in need of major repairs or full reconstruction.
- Nearly 90 percent of Gaza’s water sanitation and hygiene resources have been destroyed and more than two in five families are living near uncollected waste.
- Half a million women and girls lack menstrual hygiene products, and more than 60 percent of homes lack access to soap.
Some context: An independent UN inquiry concluded for the first time in September that Israel had committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, a finding that echoes those of other genocide experts and human rights groups.
The Israeli government has maintained it is conducting the war in Gaza in self-defense and in accordance with international law, firmly rejecting all accusations of genocide, restricting aid into Gaza and child malnutrition.
