Thirty-One Days of War: Palestinian Casualties Exceed 10,000

Between October 7 and November 6, 2023, over 10,000 Palestinian civilians were killed in the conflict between Israel and Hamas militants.

The highest number of Palestinian casualties was in the Gaza Strip, with 10,022 deaths, followed by 147 deaths in the West Bank.

On the other hand, by November 6, 2023, the total number of Israeli casualties reached 1,430.

The highest number of reported Israeli casualties was recorded during the first week of the war, from October 7-12, 2023. Subsequently, the increase in Israeli casualties was significantly lower compared to Palestinian casualties, as shown in the graph.

This data was compiled by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) from the Gaza Ministry of Health and official statements from the Israeli government.

In addition to fatalities, OCHA reported approximately 25,400 Palestinian casualties and 5,400 Israeli casualties by November 6, 2023.

Around 2,260 Palestinian civilians in Gaza were reported missing, 1,270 of whom are children. These missing individuals are believed to be trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings.

Deteriorating Refugee Conditions

OCHA also reported that by November 6, 2023, the number of refugees in Gaza had exceeded 1.5 million.

Approximately 717,000 refugees were sheltering in 149 UNRWA-run shelters. UNRWA is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. Around 122,000 refugees were sheltering in hospitals, churches, and other public facilities; 110,000 in non-UNRWA shelters; and the remainder were dispersed among relatives or other locations.

The condition of the refugees is reportedly worsening, particularly in the overcrowded UNRWA shelters.

"Overcrowded shelters remain a major concern. More than 557,000 people are sheltering in 92 UNRWA facilities in southern Gaza, which are unable to accommodate new arrivals," OCHA stated in a press release on Monday, November 6, 2023.

"The Khan Younis Training Centre, the most overcrowded UNRWA shelter, is housing over 22,000 refugees, with less than two square meters of space per person, and at least 600 people sharing one toilet."

"Deteriorating sanitation, lack of privacy and space pose significant health and safety risks. Thousands of cases of acute respiratory infections, diarrhea, and chickenpox have been reported among refugees in UNRWA shelters," it continued.

Palestine Requires Additional Humanitarian Aid

Amidst this situation, OCHA announced a significant increase in the required humanitarian aid for Palestinians.

Previously, on October 12, 2023, OCHA estimated the total required aid at US$294 million (approximately Rp4.6 trillion, assuming an exchange rate of Rp15,580 per US$).

However, on November 6, 2023, following the escalating conflict and surge in displacement, the total required aid increased to US$1.23 billion (approximately Rp19 trillion).

"We have identified a funding need of approximately US$1.2 billion to meet the urgent needs of 2.7 million Palestinians – 2.2 million in the Gaza Strip and 500,000 in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem – for the period October-December 2023," OCHA stated in its press release on Monday, November 6, 2023.

"This funding is the minimum required to prevent further loss of life, given the ongoing siege and bombardment of the Gaza Strip and the escalation of conflict in the West Bank," it added.