Gaza’s Population Declines amidst Ongoing War
The Palestinian enclave, Gaza, has witnessed a 6 percent population decline since the onset of Israel’s assault nearly 15 months ago, as per the official Palestinian statistics agency. This alarming drop, amounting to approximately 160,000 individuals, is a result of the relentless warfare and its catastrophic consequences on human life and infrastructure.
Human and Material Losses
During the course of the war, about 100,000 Palestinians have left the enclave, while over 55,000 are presumed to have lost their lives, thus contributing to the population decline. The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) reveals that over half of the fatalities, numbering around 45,500, were women and children. Moreover, another 11,000 remain missing, their fates unknown. Consequently, Gaza’s population has dwindled to 2.1 million, with children under the age of 18 comprising 47 percent of the survivors.
Israel’s actions have led to the loss of entire families and the destruction of vital infrastructure, leading to catastrophic human and material losses. However, Israel’s foreign ministry has disputed these data, calling them “fabricated, inflated, and manipulated” designed to vilify Israel.
Accusations of Genocide
Despite Israel’s denial, prominent rights groups and international bodies have raised the specter of genocide. Citing the vast scale of death and destruction, they have accused Israel of carrying out acts of genocide in its war on Gaza. The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the United Nations’s highest legal body, ruled last January that Israel must prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians. Pope Francis has also suggested that the global community should investigate whether Israel’s Gaza campaign constitutes genocide.
However, Israel has consistently rejected these allegations, claiming it abides by international law and has a right to defend itself against Hamas.
The Humanitarian Crisis
Israel’s blockade of vital border crossings in Gaza has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the region. The blockade has prevented the entry of desperately needed aid, including food and medicine. In the north of the Strip, an even tighter siege has led to a looming famine, with residents trapped under relentless Israeli bombardment and key medical facilities being raided and burned down.
Approximately 22 percent of Gaza’s population is currently facing catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity, according to the criteria of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification. Included in this percentage are some 3,500 children at risk of death due to malnutrition and lack of food. The crumbling healthcare sector and lack of access to healthcare have also put 60,000 pregnant women at grave health risks.
Conclusion
The devastating war has displaced almost the entire population of Gaza, forcing tens of thousands of people into makeshift tents in open-air camps. The grim reality of the situation is further underscored by the loss of infant lives due to inadequate healthcare facilities and plummeting temperatures. As the conflict rages on, the dire circumstances in Gaza continue to worsen, making the need for peace and humanitarian intervention more urgent than ever.
