Editor’s Note: This article contains reference to violence and death.
Since the Re’im music festival massacre on Oct. 7, there have been many startling images and headlines coming out of Gaza. The nature of the war has made it challenging to determine the validity of all these sources; however, there is a way to demonstrate the severity of the senseless killing in these occupied territories without confronting these sensationalist images.
My approach mirrors the strategy employed by South Africa to the International Court of Justice alleging Israel is committing genocide. By focusing on statistics and providing the necessary context behind these figures, we can make an honest assessment of the situation on the ground in Gaza and the West Bank.
28,730: As of Feb. 14, 28,730 people have been killed in Gaza since the start of the war. Of this population, 12,150 are children and 8,300 are women. To put this in perspective, 8,647 children were killed in all worldwide conflicts in 2022. Not to mention, about 7,000 people remain missing, and another 17,000 children have found themselves alone and completely unaccompanied during the war.
1,200: There have been 1,200 deaths in Israel from the initial attack on Oct. 7. The details behind the statistics of this attack are shaky. The IDF first reported the death toll was closer to 1,400 deaths, then revised it down to 1,200.
360,000: More than 360,000 residential units have been bombed to destruction in Gaza since the start of this conflict. This represents a genuine attempt to completely bankrupt Gaza beyond this conflict. Even if Israel fails to build settlements in its newly conquered areas in Gaza after the war, there will still be little hope for the future of the Palestinian people.
24: Israeli airstrikes have destroyed 24 hospitals. Currently, there are only 11 of 35 hospitals left for Palestinians to receive treatment. However, some hospitals have only partial functionality.
2092: If the conflict had ceased in January, it would take until the year 2092 to restore Gaza’s GDP to its pre-conflict level. The damage inflicted upon Gaza’s infrastructure by Israeli airstrikes is so extensive it will take tens of billions of dollars to rebuild the economy.
221: Israeli airstrikes damaged 221 places of worship. This statistic reveals the ruthless reality of the current Israeli regime. This symbolic devastation intends to create a sense of hopelessness beyond practical destruction of Gaza.
88: Eighty-eight journalists covering the war have been killed: 83 Palestinian, 2 Israeli and 3 Lebanese. The death toll isn’t even the most obvious example of silencing information. As it currently stands, no foreign reporters are allowed to go inside the conflict without the guidance of the IDF. Many journalists faced death threats and their homes targeted by missile strikes, and 25 journalists have been imprisoned.
85%: The conflict has displaced 85% of the population in Gaza, primarily to the region of Rafah. Before the conflict, Gaza was one of the most densely populated areas of the world. Now one million people are living in an area that only held a population of 280,000 before the war.
100,000: There are over 100,000 cases of diarrhea reported in the region. Due to the congested population, disease is rampant and contagious in these areas. The people of Gaza do not have basic healthcare items like tampons, toothbrushes and sanitizers; they have no access to hygiene products and thus no protection from diseases. Experts fear the outbreak of epidemics will ultimately kill more Palestinians in Gaza than the Israeli offensives.
$14.1 billion: The U.S. Senate just approved $14.1 billion in security assistance for the state of Israel. Despite the accessibility of the preceding statistics, our Congress is doling out billions more to their perpetrators.
Numbers don’t lie. The figures only stand to increase as Israel plans to march on Rafah. As members of an esteemed research institution, the NC State community should be able to absorb the hard data and have the intelligence to see this conflict for what it is.
Disease and increased ground invasions represent a dire need for intervention. Although you can not provide the much-needed, large-scale governmental interference, you can donate to charities that attempt to alleviate at least some of the Palestinian plight. I recommend donating to the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund, whose humanitarian campaign centers around relief for children in the region.
