(MENAFN) A recent study published in The Lancet medical journal proposes that the actual death toll from the conflict in Gaza may exceed previously reported numbers by a significant margin. According to the enclave’s health authorities, approximately 37,396 deaths were documented last month, a figure disputed by the Israeli government but acknowledged as reliable by the United Nations.

The study, conducted by a team of researchers from Britain, the United States, and Canada, suggests that the true death toll could soar to as high as 186,000 when accounting for "indirect deaths." These indirect fatalities encompass casualties from disease, hunger, thirst, and exposure exacerbated by the conflict's conditions.

Citing historical precedents from other conflicts, the researchers note that indirect deaths have often ranged from three to fifteen times higher than direct combat-related fatalities. Applying a conservative estimate of four indirect deaths per one direct death, the study extrapolates that the ongoing conflict in Gaza could potentially be responsible for up to 186,000 deaths or more.

Given Gaza's pre-conflict population of approximately 2.3 million people, such a staggering death toll would equate to a loss of between 7percent and 9percent of the enclave's population. The authors of the study emphasize the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza to facilitate humanitarian aid distribution, including medical supplies, food, clean water, and essential resources.

Furthermore, the study underscores calls for Israel to adhere to international legal obligations, including those outlined by the International Court of Justice, to document and preserve evidence relevant to allegations of genocide. As international scrutiny intensifies, the study's findings highlight the critical imperative for concerted efforts to mitigate human suffering and restore stability in the embattled region.

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