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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