Data from the independent war-monitoring group Acled indicate that roughly 15 out of every 16 Palestinians killed since "Israel" renewed its offensive in Gaza in March have been civilians. This unusually high civilian death rate adds to international pressure on "Israel" as its occupation forces invade Gaza City, prompting mass evacuations and heightening the risk of further large-scale casualties.

Acled, which receives support from Western governments and the UN, compiled its findings over six months by tracking reports of losses among Hamas and other Resistance groups in Gaza, drawing on statements from the Israeli occupation forces, Israeli and international media, and Hamas itself. “Since 18 March, Israel claims it killed more than 2,100 operatives, though Acled data indicates that the number is closer to 1,100, and includes Hamas’ political figures, as well as fighters from other groups,” the report stressed.

The UN reports that more than 16,000 Palestinians have been killed since "Israel" reneged on a two-month ceasefire in March with a major wave of airstrikes across Gaza. While Israeli officials briefed the media on a higher figure of 2,100 combatants in mid-August, internal estimates may have since risen, though Acled’s count includes political figures, as well as Resistance fighters. Earlier reporting by The Guardian revealed that IOF internal data suggested 83% of casualties between October 2023 and May were civilians.

Acled’s report also highlighted a surge in building demolitions in Gaza since Israeli aggression resumed in March. The organization documented 500 demolitions in the six months following the assault, compared with 698 over the previous 15 months, with many incidents affecting multiple buildings.

In a related context, Acled found no evidence that "Hamas systematically stole UN-delivered aid".

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Israeli genocide ongoing

Israeli occupation forces have intensified their offensive on the Gaza Strip, focusing airstrikes on northern areas,  particularly Gaza City, amid a tight blockade and a rising toll of casualties and missing civilians.

Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in Gaza reported on Saturday that two Palestinian children were killed and several others were injured when Israeli occupation forces targeted Al-Mu’tasim School, which shelters forcibly displaced families near Yarmouk Stadium in central Gaza City.

In a separate attack, Israeli drones struck a gathering of families behind the Jordanian Field Hospital in southern Gaza City, killing a Palestinian woman and injuring several others. Another drone strike hit a tent sheltering displaced families near the Islamic University, southwest of the city, leaving six Palestinians injured.

Al-Awda Hospital in al-Nuseirat confirmed that in 24 hours, it had received six dead and 23 injured following Israeli attacks on starved Palestinians collecting firewood near al-Mughraqa, south of Gaza City, as well as shelling in al-Nuseirat Camp in central Gaza.

Demolitions and forced displacement

Invading Israeli units have carried out systematic demolitions of residential buildings across Gaza City. Concurrently, Israeli drones and artillery struck Shabra in the northwest, Tal al-Hawa in the southwest, and the northern areas of al-Bureij Camp.

Meanwhile, straved Palestinians waiting for aid near the Netzarim corridor reportedly came under fire, while Israeli strikes on the electricity company in al-Nuseirat caused significant damage to infrastructure.

This military escalation is widely seen as part of "Israel’s" plan to occupy Gaza City and forcibly displace its residents. 

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