Gaza Herald – Gaza’s population has fallen by more than 10 percent, losing an estimated 254,000 people since the start of Israel’s war in October 2023, according to a new study cited by The Guardian. The sharp decline reflects mass killings, displacement, and worsening living conditions across the besieged enclave.
The study, conducted by the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, reported that by the end of 2025 at least 18,592 children and around 12,400 women had been killed in Gaza, underscoring the disproportionate toll on civilians.
Despite a ceasefire agreement announced in October 2025, the report noted that hundreds of Palestinians were killed afterward, warning that violations continued with little accountability. Researchers said international law designed to limit the impact of war has reached a “breaking point” amid widespread impunity.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the cumulative death toll since October 7, 2023, has surpassed 71,000 killed and 171,000 wounded. Since the ceasefire took effect on October 10, 2025, Israeli forces have killed 526 Palestinians and injured 1,405 others.
The study also highlighted the scale of destruction, noting that more than 200,000 tons of explosives were dropped on Gaza. Health officials reported a sharp demographic impact as well, with births falling by 11 percent in 2025, alongside documented deaths among hundreds of patients and elderly people due to the collapse of healthcare and living conditions.
