LONDON: Nearly 94 percent of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in Gaza since March have been civilians, according to data released on Friday from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data organization.
The figure is among the highest recorded during the conflict and comes as Israeli forces advance into Gaza City, forcing up to a million people to evacuate and raising the risk of further large-scale civilian casualties.
ACLED’s researchers tracked deaths among Hamas and allied groups using reports from the Israeli military, local and international media, and statements from Hamas over a six-month period.
The report said: “Since March 18, 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.”
More than 16,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel broke a two-month ceasefire in March, according to UN statistics, equal to 15 out of every 16 deaths.
