In the mortuary of Nasser Hospital located in southern Gaza, a somber scene unfolds as workers delicately prepare the bodies of individuals who lost their lives in the wake of Israeli airstrikes. These tragic casualties are methodically documented, with essential details such as name, identity card number, age, and gender recorded for each individual. The process of permitting burial is stringent, and typically restricted to those bodies that are identified or claimed by grieving relatives. Such records contribute to the official death toll reported by the Gaza Health Ministry, a figure that reached approximately 20,000 people as of Thursday.
However, the ongoing conflict has severely strained the resources and infrastructure in Gaza, leading to the closure of most hospitals, the loss of numerous health workers, and disruptions in communication due to fuel and electricity shortages. These challenges create obstacles in the meticulous compilation of casualty figures, prompting an international effort involving workers at Nasser Hospital and volunteers across the globe. Despite facing shortages of food and water for their own families, these dedicated individuals persist in their mission as they recognize the vital importance of documenting the number of Palestinian fatalities, even during increasingly dire circumstances.
The psychological toll on these workers is profound, particularly when confronted with the heart-wrenching task of preparing the bodies of children, some of whom bear severe injuries. While the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) express regret for civilian deaths, they attribute responsibility to Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, for operating within densely populated areas. The Gaza Health Ministry's death toll emphasizes the disproportionately high number of civilian casualties, with an alarming 70% comprised of women and children.
Amid the challenges of data collection, both local and international efforts are committed to upholding the significance of recording and verifying casualties during the ongoing conflict. Concerns about potential undercounting are raised by the World Health Organization (WHO), while US President Joe Biden remains skeptical about the accuracy of Palestinian data. Collaborative initiatives involving international organizations and volunteers persist in their dedicated efforts to analyze and corroborate the provided data, recognizing the inherent difficulties in accurately recording casualties amid the fluid dynamics of an active conflict. The overarching goal is to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the human toll and its profound impact on the population of Gaza, even as the conflict continues to unfold.
