Israel has for the first time acknowledged the Gaza death toll compiled by the Palestinian Ministry of Health, which estimates over 70,000 killed since the war began on October 7, 2023. Thousands more remain missing under rubble, and at least 440 people have died of starvation after Israel restricted aid access, reports Al Jazeera. During the conflict, Israel repeatedly denied or downplayed Palestinian figures, issuing its own fluctuating statistics while accusing the Gaza authorities of exaggeration. Sultan Barakat, a public policy professor, told Al Jazeera that international scrutiny, increased UN access, and ongoing rubble clearance made continued denial untenable. Analysts also note that delaying acknowledgment serves both diplomatic and legal purposes, allowing Israel to control messaging and limit accountability in international forums.

Source: Dhaka Tribune January 31, 2026 10:44 UTC