Lancet: Gaza Death Toll Towers to 186,000

The Lancet, British medical journal, estimates the number of those killed in Gaza could be as high as 186,000 people.

In a groundbreaking study titled “Counting the dead in Gaza: difficult but essential” the journal uses different tools of assessments to count the number of those that has been killed in the war on Gaza and says these are “conservatively” be estimated at 186,000 taken into account the number of those who die from disease, destroyed health care infrastructure and the sever shortage of food, water and shelter.

This is breaking news that is being covered in social media with many commenting on this latest figure.

British MP Zarah Sultana says the Lancet is the most respected journal in the world, emphasizing the number of those killed as the journal points out is a “conservative estimation,” while calling on the UK government to halt all arm sales to Israel.

Another says the figure represents 8 percent of the population of Gaza and that “this is a systematic effort to exterminate the Palestinian people, armed and funded, and led by the US.”

Dr Ghassan Abu Sitta, who worked in Al Shifa during the early onslaught of the Israeli army on the hospital says these are “apocalyptic figures” whilst providing a link to the article that is well argued with different point of views.

Whilst another said “but God forbid, we utter the word ‘genocide’”  pointing to the fact the 186,000 killed figure is in 270 days of Israeli slaughter. Yet another says this is figure “is not being broadcast on Western media channels,” with the implication that this latest figure is being hidden away from the public.

Former UK MP Claudia Webbe says don’t forget the 10,000 Palestinians that are still under the rubble, adding what we need is “ceasefire now. End arms sale to Israel. End the occupation. Free Palestine.”

Canadian MP Charlie Angus says this is Israel murder and a “staggering “ number” and “it is genocide. A crime against humanity” and “the EU, the US, Canada and the UK are complicit in these war crimes,” warning that “history is watching.”

The Lancet does point to the figures counted by the Ministry of Health in Gaza, saying contrary to the fact they are being contested by the Israeli authorities, they are being accepted as accurate by the Israeli Intelligence services, the UN and World Health Organization.

The current number of documented deaths as per the Gaza Ministry of Health figures has risen to 38,193 and 87,903 injured.

CrossFireArabia

CrossFireArabia

Dr. Marwan Asmar holds a PhD from Leeds University and is a freelance writer specializing on the Middle East. He has worked as a journalist since the early 1990s in Jordan and the Gulf countries, and been widely published, including at Albawaba, Gulf News, Al Ghad, World Press Review and others.

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Palestinian Journalists Under Attack – 55 Israeli Violations in May

The Palestinian Journalists Association (PJA) announced, Monday, it documented 55 violations by Israeli occupation soldiers against Palestinian journalists in last May. It described such violations are part of a  systematic policy to restrict and prevent West Bank and Gaza journalists to carry out their professional duties.

The PJA’s Freedoms Committee said in a press statement to Quds Press the Israeli occupation continues its violations against journalists and media workers to limit their ability to report the truth and document attacks and violations against Palestinians.

The documented violations during May included two injuries from live ammunition while covering events in the field, two arbitrary arrests, and 30 cases of detention and prevention from working and covering events.

The committee also recorded five cases of direct gunfire directed at journalists, five attacks using tear gas and stun grenades, in addition to two cases of confiscation of journalistic equipment and two cases of physical assault on journalists.

The violations include two cases of journalists being barred from covering news at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, one of a media outlet being raided and shut down, another of a journalist being brought before a court and three cases of journalists summoned and interrogated.

The committee affirmed that these practices constitute a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, the Geneva Conventions, and international covenants on freedom of opinion and expression, which stipulate the protection of journalists while performing their professional duties in conflict zones.

It added that the escalating targeting of journalists reflects a systematic approach aimed at restricting media coverage and preventing the dissemination of information about the reality and violations suffered by the Palestinian people. The committee noted that the occupation continues to use various means to suppress media work and obstruct the public’s access to information.

The Committee for Freedoms called on international human rights and media organizations, as well as the United Nations, to uphold their legal and moral responsibilities, pressure the occupation authorities to cease their ongoing violations against Palestinian journalists, hold those responsible accountable, and provide the necessary protection for media workers.

The PJA announced last May it documented nearly 300 Israeli crimes, violations, and attacks against Palestinian journalists since the beginning of 2026 and the trend is set to continue judging from the scale of esclation against media workers.

The press association indicated at the time the number of journalists killed reached 262 since the outbreak of the war on the Gaza Strip in October 2023, including 261 journalists murdered in the Gaza Strip, in addition to six journalists killed since the beginning of 2026.

This comes at a time when Israeli attacks against Palestinians continue in various areas, amid increasing complaints about the targeting of journalists, the obstruction of their work, and the prevention of their coverage of events on the ground and their reporting to the public.

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