Hamas has updated its casualty figures from the Gaza war, revealing that 72% of those killed were men aged 13 to 55, a demographic primarily composed of combatants. This update contradicts Hamas’ earlier claims that most casualties were women and children, according to a detailed analysis by Salo Aizenberg from the U.S.-based nonprofit HonestReporting. Aizenberg’s investigation found that 3,400 names, including over 1,080 children, were removed from Hamas’ March 2025 report after being listed in 2024. The United Nations and the International Criminal Court (ICC), which initially cited these figures, have not responded to requests for comment on the revised data.

David Adesnik, vice president of research at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, concurred with Aizenberg’s findings, noting a significant gender imbalance among the fatalities, with a marked increase in male deaths within the combat-age bracket. Adesnik also pointed out discrepancies in death reporting, suggesting that many names were removed from the lists for being inaccurate or unverified. This practice was allegedly done to cover up the original manipulation of casualty numbers.

The Israeli military has maintained that a majority of those killed are combatants, and recent incidents, such as the accidental killing of 15 humanitarian workers in an Israeli strike, highlight the complex and often deadly nature of the conflict in Gaza. The IDF stated that the aid workers were mistakenly identified as terrorists during a covert operation. The IDF continues to target Hamas infrastructure, emphasizing efforts to minimize civilian collateral damage and deny ever deliberately targeting children.

Efrat Lachter, an investigative reporter and war correspondent, covered this story. You can follow her on X @efratlachter.

Source: https://www.foxnews.com/world/hamas-terror-outlet-quietly-cuts-gaza-death-count-reveals-most-killed-were-combat-age-men