The war in Gaza has resulted in a devastating impact on civilians, as reported by the Hamas-run health ministry. The number of fatalities has surpassed 8,000, with over 3,000 children among the casualties. This figure alone exceeds the annual death toll for children in all wars of the preceding three years. Additionally, satellite imagery suggests that more than 10% of Gaza’s housing stock has been destroyed, leaving over 280,000 people without homes.
While urban warfare is typically destructive, Israel’s war in Gaza displays distinct characteristics. Comparisons to previous conflicts offer valuable insights. In America’s assault on Fallujah in 2004, approximately 600 civilians, or 0.2% of the population, perished. In contrast, the current conflict in Gaza has claimed the lives of 0.3% of the population. Similarly, the battle for Sadr City in Baghdad resulted in the deaths of nearly 1,000 individuals out of a population of around 2 million, similar to Gaza’s demographics.
An even more extensive urban battle was witnessed in Mosul. This city, seized by the Islamic State (IS) group, faced an assault from an American-led coalition. According to Airwars, a non-profit organization monitoring civilian harm, at least 9,000 civilians were killed during 2016-2017. This constituted 0.6% of the population at the time, with more than 80% of damaged buildings being residential.
While these comparisons may suggest that the war in Gaza is not uniquely destructive, there are crucial differences to consider. The primary distinction lies in the treatment of civilians. In previous conflicts, measures were taken to allow civilians to flee or negotiate humanitarian pauses. However, Israel has thus far rejected calls for such actions in Gaza.
The geography of Gaza presents further challenges. While Israel has urged around 1.1 million civilians to evacuate, a significant portion has remained in place. Some fear being unable to return to their homes, while others simply lack viable escape routes. Egypt, bordering Gaza to the south, has refused to accept responsibility for refugees and has not opened its borders.
As southern Gaza continues to be targeted by Israeli strikes, the situation remains dire for residents. The limited options for escape and the absence of open spaces for fighting compound the difficulties faced by both civilians and combatants in this distinctive conflict.
