In the face of a prolonged crisis in Gaza, Oxfam has sounded an urgent alarm, revealing that Israel’s military is causing an unprecedented death toll, averaging 250 people per day. This rate significantly surpasses recent major conflicts, including Syria, Sudan, Iraq, Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Yemen, marking it as the deadliest conflict of the 21st century.
Sally Abi Khalil, Oxfam’s Middle East Director, expressed deep concern, stating, “For 100 days, the people of Gaza have endured a living hell. Nowhere is safe, and the entire population is at risk of famine. It is unimaginable that the international community is watching the deadliest rate of conflict of the 21st century unfold while continuously blocking calls for a ceasefire.”
UNPRECEDENTED DEATH TOLL
Oxfam’s analysis, based on publicly available data, reveals a shocking reality in Gaza. The average death toll per day in the region far exceeds other recent major conflicts. The scale of atrocities perpetrated by Israel’s military has created a dire situation, forcing people into smaller areas due to constant bombardment. Those fleeing from places once deemed safe find no secure refuge in Gaza.
Over the past 100 days, more than 1,200 people lost their lives in the attacks by Hamas and other armed groups in Israel on October 7. In addition, 330 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since then, further intensifying the humanitarian crisis.
DAILY STRUGGLES FOR SURVIVAL
Oxfam warns that the continuous bombardment has left nowhere in Gaza truly secure. Over one million people, more than half the population, sought shelter in Rafah on the Egyptian border. Oxfam staff in Rafah report massive overcrowding, severe shortages of food and water, and a depletion of essential medicines. The crisis is exacerbated by Israel’s restrictions on aid entry, border closures, a siege, and restricted access, allowing only 10% of the weekly needed food aid to get through.
THREAT BEYOND DIRECT CASUALTIES
Beyond the immediate casualties, the aid agency underscores the looming threat to life from hunger and disease. The onset of cold and wet weather exacerbates the situation, with shortages of blankets, no fuel for heating devices, and no hot water. Oxfam partner organizations report dire conditions in makeshift shelters, with rain penetrating shelters, wind blowing them away, and people resorting to desperate measures to acquire basic necessities.
INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE AND LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
As the crisis unfolds, Oxfam urges immediate international intervention to stop the bloodshed and prevent more lives from being lost. The United Nations International Court of Justice is currently examining the legality of Israel’s prolonged assault on Gaza, with the potential issuance of an emergency order to suspend Israel’s military campaign.
“This is a sign that policies, awareness, and education campaigns in these communities to reduce blood lead levels are working,” said Mona Puggal, M.P.H., an epidemiologist in the Division of Cardiovascular Sciences at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). “The reductions in blood pressure are comparable to improvements one sees with lifestyle changes, such as getting 30 minutes of daily exercise, reducing salt intake, or losing weight.”
