**Gaza Health Ministry Denies Manipulating Death Toll Figures**
The Gaza health ministry has denied allegations that they are manipulating death toll figures, following reports of inconsistencies in the numbers of people killed since the start of the war.
According to the Hamas-run Ministry of Health, at least 51,266 people have been killed in the 18 months since the conflict began, with nearly a third of the dead being under the age of 18. However, Israel has repeatedly challenged the accuracy of these figures, claiming they are used as Hamas propaganda.
**How Are the Statistics Gathered?**
The statistics are gathered through a combination of methods, including counting bodies that arrive at hospitals and using online forms submitted by relatives to report their loved ones dead or missing. However, as conditions have become more chaotic and medical sites have come under attack, this method has become less reliable.
**Revisions and Verification Process**
Health officials have stated that the list is revised and verified multiple times before being shared publicly. In fact, since the start of 2024, Gazan health officials have audited data in hospital mortuaries for errors and omissions.
“Previous lists were a little bit more provisional,” said Sameh Khalifa, who led the team retrieving human remains from Wadi Gaza. “We look for distinctive personal belongings: a watch, a necklace or an earring. When we search the bodies, it’s very possible that we’ll find a driver’s licence or ID card.”
**International Perspective**
International journalists are blocked by Israel from entering Gaza independently to verify figures. However, organizations such as Every Casualty Counts have been monitoring the conflict and detecting no attempt by health officials to mislead.
“It’s a big clean-up operation,” said Dr. Marcus du Sautoy, chair of Every Casualty Counts. “They’re trying to get it right, not make things up.”
**The War Continues**
Despite the efforts to verify figures, the numbers killed in the past year and a half continue to rise daily. The war began on 7 October 2023, when Hamas led a cross-border attack on southern Israel.
As the conflict continues, it’s clear that accurate reporting of casualties is crucial for all parties involved.
**Read More**
For more information on the Gaza conflict, including why Israel and Hamas are fighting and how the dead are counted in Gaza, please see our related articles at [www.bbc.com](http://www.bbc.com).
Read More @ www.bbc.com
