Palestinian officials release extensive list of casualties in Gaza, following Biden's skepticism over death count

The health ministry in Gaza, under Hamas control, has released a report documenting over 6,000 deaths in Gaza since the October 7 attacks on Israel. This comes in response to US President Joe Biden's doubts regarding the accuracy of Palestinian casualty numbers. According to the report, between October 7 and 26, a total of 7,028 Palestinians, including 2,913 children, lost their lives due to Israeli military aggression. The report also mentioned that there are 281 bodies that remain unidentified.

The ministry expressed that the reported number of casualties is likely to be significantly underestimated. The list includes detailed information, such as sex, age, and identity card number, for each of the 6,747 victims. This seems to be an attempt to enhance the credibility of the data, especially in response to criticism from the US and Israel.

On Wednesday, Biden openly expressed his lack of confidence in the ministry's casualty figures. On Thursday, John Kirby, the White House spokesman, referred to the ministry as a "front for Hamas." However, he did not deny the fact that thousands of Palestinians, including many innocent civilians, had been killed when questioned.

The dispute brings attention to the challenges involved in accurately reporting the death toll in Gaza. The number of casualties in the besieged enclave is regularly published by both the ministry in Gaza and the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, located in the West Bank.

Despite being a rival faction to Hamas, the Palestinian Authority, through its umbrella Ministry of Health, maintains a connection with the ministry in Gaza.

CNN is unable to verify the death toll recorded in Gaza on its own. However, reputable international organizations such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO) rely on figures provided by the Gaza ministry. These figures are collected from data reported by hospitals and emergency services.

Mohammad Shtayyeh, the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority, expressed criticism towards Biden's statements. He stated that his health authority in the West Bank considers the Gaza numbers to be reliable.

"Some leaders choose to turn a blind eye to reality, focusing only on the Israeli perspective and ignoring the situation on the Palestinian side," he stated in a recent interview with Al Jazeera.

He further confirmed, "The numbers are accurate and they are sourced directly from Gaza's hospitals. Our Ministry of Health consistently receives these daily updates."

Last week, Michael Ryan, the executive director of the WHO's health emergencies program, stated to reporters that the reported numbers in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories may not be entirely precise in real-time but accurately depict the extent of death and injuries on both sides of the conflict. The figures shared by the Gaza health ministry have typically been undisputed and have been referenced in reports by the US State Department without questioning their accuracy.

The current conflict has highlighted the global reliance on these figures and the conflicting claims surrounding the death toll of the explosion at al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City on October 17. The ministry stated that 471 people were killed, while initial US intelligence estimated between 100 and 300 casualties. Some analysts suggest the number could be much lower, in the tens, based on the impact crater's size at the site. Kirby acknowledged that the ministry initially reported 500 deaths, attributing them to an Israeli air strike.

"So, it's evident that the information is inaccurate, and we have recently discovered that the numbers are not as high as initially claimed," he mentioned. "The figures have not reached 500 - instead, they appear to be in the range of a few hundred, which is still devastating and deeply saddening. We sincerely empathize with the families and loved ones who have been impacted by this tragedy. However, it is important to note that the reported numbers lack reliability."

Similarly, the Israeli military has also expressed skepticism regarding the reported casualty figures from Gaza. Nonetheless, they have not presented any evidence to support the claim of exaggeration.

"I do not possess the exact figures regarding the casualties in the Gaza Strip," stated IDF Lieutenant Colonel Richard Hecht in his conversation with CNN. He further advised to approach the numbers provided by the Hamas agency with skepticism."

The report received on Thursday from Gaza omitted individuals who were buried without being taken to hospitals, those who were unable to complete registration procedures at the hospitals, and individuals missing under the debris. It is estimated that approximately 1,600 people fall under this category, with a significant number presumed deceased.