Israeli Military Concedes Approximately 70,000 Gaza Deaths, Matching Health Ministry Count
Updated (2 articles)
Military Acknowledgment Aligns With Health Ministry Figures The Israeli military now cites roughly 70,000 Palestinian deaths, a number that closely mirrors the Gaza Health Ministry’s latest tally of 71,667 killed and 171,343 injured [1][2]. The estimate was given by the Coordinator of Government Affairs in the Territories (COGAT) and reported by Yedioth Ahronoth, marking a clear shift from earlier Israeli denials of the ministry’s data [1]. A senior Israeli security source confirmed the military considers the Hamas‑run ministry’s figure “largely accurate,” despite the inability to separate combatants from civilians [2].
Hamas Health Ministry Provides Detailed Casualty Totals The Gaza Health Ministry reports 71,660 deaths [2] and 71,667 deaths [1] since the conflict began, including 492 Palestinians killed after the October 10 2025 ceasefire [2]. It also lists 171,343 injured, though it does not differentiate between civilians and militants [1]. International bodies such as the UN and human‑rights groups cite these numbers as the most reliable source for the death toll [2].
Earlier Israeli Claims Contrasted With New Acceptance Before the ceasefire, Israel asserted it had eliminated 1,600 Hamas fighters and an additional 22,000 combatants, estimating two to three civilian deaths for every militant killed [2]. The IDF previously accused the health ministry of inflating figures, labeling the data as unreliable [1]. The recent admission of the >70,000 death count represents a reversal of that earlier skepticism [2].
Official Channels Remain Closed, Journalists Barred An IDF spokesperson declined to confirm any official casualty figures, stating that releases will occur only through “official and orderly channels” [1][2]. The Israeli government has prohibited foreign journalists from entering Gaza since the war’s outset, limiting independent verification of the numbers [2]. This restriction continues despite the military’s public acknowledgment of the high death toll [1].
Sources
-
1.
CNN: Israeli Military Acknowledges Approx. 70,000 Gaza Deaths, Aligning With Health Ministry Figures: reports the Israeli military’s new estimate of ~70,000 deaths matching the health ministry’s 71,667 count, notes prior denial, and references leaked senior officer comments
-
2.
BBC: Israeli Military Acknowledges Hamas‑Reported Gaza Death Toll: details a senior security source confirming acceptance of the Hamas‑run ministry’s >70,000 figure, outlines ceasefire casualties, earlier Israeli claims, and the ongoing ban on foreign journalists
Timeline
Oct 7, 2023 – Hamas launches a large‑scale attack on Israel, triggering a full‑scale war and prompting the Israeli government to bar foreign journalists from entering the Gaza Strip, a restriction that remains in place throughout the conflict[1].
Oct 7, 2023 – 2025 – The Israel Defense Forces publicly claim it has eliminated roughly 1,600 Hamas fighters and an additional 22,000 combatants since the war began, while maintaining that civilian deaths are two‑to‑three times lower than militant casualties[1].
2025 – In a leaked audio recording, former Israeli intelligence chief Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva says that “50,000 Gaza deaths [are] necessary and required,” reflecting the military’s earlier acceptance of high civilian casualties[2].
2025 – Former Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi privately notes that over 10 % of Gaza’s 2.2 million residents have been killed or injured, citing more than 200,000 casualties, a figure that aligns with later health‑ministry reports[2].
Oct 10, 2025 – A cease‑fire takes effect, but the Hamas‑run health ministry records at least 492 Palestinian deaths from Israeli strikes and four Israeli soldiers killed after the truce begins[1].
Jan 29, 2026 – A senior Israeli security source tells journalists that the IDF now regards the Hamas health‑ministry figure of over 70,000 Gaza deaths as “largely accurate,” marking a shift from earlier Israeli skepticism[1].
Jan 29, 2026 – The IDF spokesperson reiterates that any casualty information will be released only through “official and orderly channels,” rejecting unverified media reports and declining to confirm the death toll publicly[1].
Jan 30, 2026 – Israeli military officials brief journalists that about 70,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war, matching the health ministry’s count of 71,667 deaths and 171,343 injured, and explicitly exclude the missing from the estimate[2].
Jan 30, 2026 – The IDF spokesperson again declines to comment on internal casualty figures, emphasizing that published details do not reflect official data and will be communicated only via formal channels[2].