The Real Gaza Death Toll - Susan Abulhawa on the Gross Underestimation

Palestinian writer Susan Abulhawa visited Gaza twice this year between February and May, witnessing firsthand the unimaginable scale of Israel’s actions. Based on statistics from the WHO, scientific literature detailing morbidity and mortality data for various conditions in Gaza, Abulhawa uses math to estimate a staggering reality: while the official death toll stalled at 30,000 for months before climbing to 37,000, they grossly underestimate the true death toll. These figures only account for identified victims of ’direct fire’. Hundreds of thousands more remain uncounted—unidentified bodies or body parts, those who died due to a lack of medicine and healthcare, those buried by their loved ones without getting to hospital, those who starved to death, those trapped under the rubble, those who succumbed to torture while abducted by the IOF and/or those missing. Due to constant bombardment, countless families have been forced to bury loved ones where ever they can without formal recognition by going through the hospital systems. Meanwhile, those systems and hospital employees have been decimated, meaning that reporting accurate numbers is nearly impossible. Understanding the historical context is crucial: this isn’t a response but a deliberate plan to dismantle Gaza, exploit its resources, and erase its Indigenous people. The underreported death toll—ranging from 193,000 to over 500,000— demands urgent attention and action. Raise awareness and demand justice. Share and spread the word. #FreeGaza #FreePalestine #SusanAbulhawa #DeathToll #TheyAreNotNumbers #WeAreNotNumbers #GazaUnderSiege #HumanRights #FreedomFlotilla #StopTheGenocide #Gaza #Palestine #EndTheBlockade #EndTheSiege