Gaza Conflict: Former Israeli Military Chief Confirms Over 10% Casualty Rate
Jerusalem – More than 10% of Gaza’s population has been killed or injured since the start of the conflict following the October 7th Hamas attack, according to Herzi Halevi, former Chief of Staff of the Israeli armed forces. Halevi, who served in his role during the initial response to the Hamas incursion and until March of this year, publicly affirmed the casualty figures recently released by the Hamas-controlled Gaza Ministry of health. his remarks were captured in an audio recording first published by the israeli news site Be fated.
The latest estimates indicate a staggering toll: over 64,700 Palestinians have been reported dead and 164,000 injured. This represents a casualty rate exceeding 10% of Gaza’s pre-conflict population of 2.2 million. The October 7th attack by Hamas on israel resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people.
While the figures do not differentiate between combatants and civilians, they are considered reliable by numerous international organizations despite being officially disputed by Israel, which alleges the data is Hamas propaganda.
Halevi made the comments while addressing residents of a community near the Gaza border, an area directly impacted by the October 7th attacks. He also acknowledged failures within the Israeli military, stating the army failed to adequately assess the threat posed by Hamas and its preparations for the assault.
“It’s not a sweet war, but everything we do is in accordance with international law,” Halevi added, defending the actions of Israeli troops throughout the ongoing conflict.
As of saturday morning, the Israeli army had not issued a formal response to halevi’s statements.
[image: Palestinian photographer Hatem Khaled, injured after an Israeli attack on the al-Nasser Hospital in Khan younès (Gaza), August 25, 2025. RAMADAN ABED/REUTERS]
By Luke Bronner, Jerusalem Correspondent
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