Ratio of two Palestinian civilians killed to one Hamas militant is “tremendously positive”

• The IDF claimed a positive ratio of 2 Palestinian civilians to 1 Hamas militant killed.
• Over 15,000 Palestinians have been reported dead.
• U.S. official suggests casualty numbers could be higher.

A representative for the Israeli military told an international media outlet on Monday that the ratio of two Palestinian civilians killed in Gaza for one Hamas militant is “tremendously positive,” highlighting the difficulties of urban warfare.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), almost two civilians have been killed in Gaza for every Hamas militant, according to information provided by top Israeli military officials in a briefing for international journalists on Monday.

A reporter questioned a spokesman for the IDF about the specifics of the claim; he replied, “I can confirm the report.”

Headded: “I can say that if that is true – and I think that our numbers will be corroborated – if you compare that ratio to any other conflict in urban terrain between a military and a terrorist organization using civilians as their human shields, and embedded in the civilian population, you will find that that ratio is tremendous, tremendously positive, and perhaps unique in the world.”

Since October 7, Israeli attacks have claimed the lives of over 15,000 Palestinians, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, which is under the leadership of Hamas. There is no differentiation made between militants and civilians.

During a news conference on Saturday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant informed the media that the armed forces had eliminated “thousands of terrorists.” There are no official death toll estimates from the Israeli military.

When questioned about rumors that some 5,000 Hamas fighters had been killed, the anonymous Israeli military official reportedly said, “The numbers are more or less right,” according to the France news agency.

Last month, a senior official from the U.S. State Department testified before Congress that although it was challenging to estimate casualty numbers during an ongoing battle, she thought the actual death toll would be much greater than what is being reported in the media.

“It is very difficult for any of us to assess what the rate of casualties are,” said Barbara Leaf, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs.

“We think they’re very high, frankly. And it could be that they’re even higher than are being cited. We’ll know only after the guns fall silent.”

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