The authorities in Gaza have recently compiled a list of 3,490 individuals reported missing by their families, indicating that there may be thousands more who should be added to the official death toll reported by the health ministry. The current figure of Palestinian casualties in the ongoing conflict stands at 72,027, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry, which documents only those killed directly by gunfire or bombings and does not include deaths caused by disease or starvation. More than 95% of the individuals on the missing list have been identified and appear on the official records of the Health Ministry in Gaza, which contains extensive personal details of the deceased.

Last week, a senior military official from the Israeli Defense Forces acknowledged that the casualty figures held by the military are similar to those reported by the authorities in Gaza. This acknowledgment underscores the severity of the humanitarian crisis resulting from the conflict, which has drawn international scrutiny and calls for accountability. However, health ministry sources in Gaza have stressed throughout the war that the numbers are not definitive, with many individuals potentially buried under rubble or in tunnels, or completely missing due to proximity to explosion sites.

For the first time, several government offices in Gaza are now officially reporting the existence of 3,490 missing persons, with the Health Ministry publishing a list of approximately 1,000 of these individuals. Of those missing, the ministry estimates that about 160 are believed to be detained by Israel, while the status of the others remains uncertain. The ministry is cautious about pronouncing anyone deceased without further evidence, reflecting the profound uncertainty and anguish experienced by families waiting for news of their loved ones amid the ongoing conflict.