Over 75,000 killed in 15 months — historic Lancet study reveals far greater horror in Gaza
Palestinians mourn loved ones killed in Israeli attacks at Al-Shifa Hospital, Gaza City, 21 August 2025
The Palestine Chronicle reports on 19 February 2026:
Key Takeaways
- 75,200 violent deaths were estimated in Gaza between October 7, 2023, and January 5, 2025.
- The figure is 34.7% higher than the Gaza Ministry of Health’s reported 49,090 deaths for the same period.
- Violent deaths equal roughly 3.4% of Gaza’s pre-war population — about 1 in every 30 residents killed.
- 56.2% of those killed were women, children, or elderly people (42,200 civilians).
- The study estimates 22,800 children killed alone.
- Researchers recorded 16,300 non-violent deaths, including disease and deprivation.
- Of those, 8,540 were excess deaths beyond normal pre-war mortality levels.
- The crude death rate reached 40.3 deaths per 1,000 people per year (33.1 violent + 7.2 non-violent).
- The survey identified 12,200 missing persons, whose fate remains unknown and not counted as dead.
- The household survey achieved a 97.2% response rate across 2,000 households and 9,729 individuals, making it the first population-representative mortality dataset of the war.
First Independent Population Survey
For the first time since Israel launched its war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, a fully independent, population-representative mortality survey has measured the human cost of the assault. Published February 18, 2026, in The Lancet Global Health, the Gaza Mortality Survey (GMS) concludes that violent deaths in the Strip have “substantially exceeded official figures,” reaching an estimated 75,200 people killed between October 7, 2023, and January 5, 2025.
The number represents approximately 3.4% of Gaza’s pre-war population, meaning roughly one in every thirty residents was killed violently during the first 15 months of the war.
The authors state unequivocally:
“This first independent population survey of mortality from the conflict in the Gaza Strip establishes that violent deaths have substantially exceeded official figures whereas demographic patterns align with official reports.”