Gaza health ministry faces scrutiny over 3,000 removed death names

In the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the Hamas-run Ministry of Health has reported that at least 51,266 individuals have been killed since the war began, with nearly a third of these fatalities being under 18 years of age. There has been considerable contention surrounding the accuracy of these figures, particularly from Israeli officials who argue that the Palestinian fatality lists serve as Hamas propaganda. A recent audit revealed that roughly 3,000 names had been removed from the list of deceased, leading to allegations of manipulation and inaccuracies. Israeli authorities have consistently raised doubts about the casualty figures, suggesting that they do not differentiate between civilians and combatants, and asserting that Hamas inflates the counts of women and children casualties to sway public opinion. Zaher al-Wahidi, a spokesperson from the Gaza health ministry, responded to these claims by insisting on the transparency and credibility of the data collection process. The ministry has switched to utilizing online forms for families to report their loved ones who are either deceased or missing, which has contributed to adjustments in the casualty list. Al-Wahidi noted that names removed were often due to a lack of verified evidence that these individuals had actually perished during the conflict, with some being found to have died from natural causes or identified as prisoners in Israel. The health ministry is under pressure to ensure that its data reflects accurate information about the ongoing human toll of the war. Additionally, bodies of individuals still buried under rubble from Israeli airstrikes, as well as around 900 unidentified remains, are not counted in the official lists. This adds complexity to the discussion surrounding casualty figures, making it challenging to comprehend the true scale of the tragedy. As tension escalates, health officials in Gaza are striving to provide an updated account of casualties while contending with the multifaceted pressures from both internal and external parties. The recent changes in reporting practices indicate an attempt to improve the credibility of the information shared with the public and international community, although skepticism remains prevalent from various stakeholders. Ultimately, the possibility of further revisions to the casualty list exists as the ministry continues to verify the status of those reported as deceased. The situation remains fluid, with the humanitarian impact of the ongoing conflict raising significant concerns both locally and internationally. As investigations continue and data is audited, the health ministry emphasizes that accuracy and transparency are paramount in representing the realities on the ground in Gaza.