A More Accurate Accounting of the War in Gaza

Key Findings:

The author questions the international narrative of the Israel-Hamas war following 7 October, criticizing the public, news outlets, and world leaders for believing Hamas’ reporting of the events unfolding in Gaza rather than Israel’s. 

Katz argues that, factually, what has been occurring on the ground in Gaza is a far cry from the data shared by many news and media outlets. Specifically, the author analyzes the death toll number (30,000 Gazan civilians) that has been widely publicized, and often referred to as the reason to call for an immediate ceasefire. 

The body that supplies casualty numbers comes from the Gaza Health Ministry, an independent organization whose agenda is to help Hamas pedal a narrative to win the sympathies of the world, rather than present factual information. The author points out that the Gaza Health Ministry submits casualty reports in impossibly short periods of time, proving that the accuracy of their reporting is questionable. The Gaza Health Ministry has been recognized as a credible source of information, although the accuracy of their work can be easily debunked, and their connection to Hamas undeniable. 

The author points out reports coming  from Hamas are automatically believed as fact, yet Israel’s credibility is questioned when presenting information about the unfoldings of the war. For instance, Israeli sources debunked the 30,000 civilian casualty number, stating that 12,000 out of the 30,000 are Hamas militants engaging in battle, not women and children, as the Gaza Health Ministry reported. Israel’s credibility was also denied on October 7th by many, including world organizations, who questioned the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust. Hamas militants filmed evidence of their crimes,which included murder, sexual violence, and atrocities against civillian men, women, and children, and yet the world was hesitant to believe these events occurred, despite undeniable proof. 

The author claims that the way the IDF is operating in Gaza is “unparalleled”, and despite the challenges of their enemy hiding in the midst of civilian life, the military still “maintains a remarkably low collateral damage rate.”

The way in which Israel is expected to behave during this time is a double standard that many of its international critics would not insist on holding themselves. The facts that reflect reality are ignored, and are either met with silence or accusations of genocide and calls for ceasefire. This rhetoric only serves to defame Israel, which emboldens Hamas.