A new Oxfam report reveals that more women and children have been killed in Gaza by Israeli military actions over the past year than in any other conflict worldwide in the past two decades. The humanitarian organisation estimates over 6,000 women and 11,000 children have been killed in Gaza during the past 12 months, leading to renewed calls for a ceasefire as violence escalates across the region, including in Lebanon and the occupied West Bank.
Sally Abi Khalil, Oxfam’s Middle East and North Africa Director, condemned the international community for its inaction, stating, “These staggering figures are both appalling and heartbreaking,” she said. “Influential actors in the international community have not only failed to hold Israel to account, they are also complicit in the atrocities by continuing to unconditionally supply it with arms. It will take generations to recover from the devastating impacts of this war and there is still no ceasefire in sight.”
While Oxfam cites the deaths of 6,000 women and 11,000 children, other sources suggest the numbers could be much higher. In August, Al Jazeera reported that over 40,000 Palestinians had been killed, including at least 16,456 children and more than 11,000 women.
Oxfam’s report also referenced data from Every Casualty Counts, which indicated that child deaths in Gaza this past year have exceeded the total child casualties between 2005 and 2022 by five times.
Beyond the loss of life, Gaza’s infrastructure has suffered catastrophic damage. Over 68 percent of cropland and key roads have been destroyed or severely damaged, and only 17 of the 36 hospitals remain partially operational, all struggling with fuel shortages, lack of medical supplies, and insufficient access to clean water. Many civilians, repeatedly displaced, are moving between so-called “safe zones” that are often targeted in ongoing attacks.
Action on Armed Violence reported that Israeli forces have targeted civilian infrastructure with explosive weapons every three hours since the conflict began, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
The report also highlights the lasting impact on children, with over 25,000 having lost a parent or been orphaned. Many children are now dealing with severe trauma, anxiety, and physical injuries, including the loss of limbs. Dr Umaiyeh Khammash, director of Oxfam partner Juzoor, described the devastation as overwhelming, particularly for women who have become the primary caregivers amidst the destruction.
““The past year has had a devastating impact with women bearing a double burden,” Dr Khammash explained. “Many have suddenly become the heads of their households, navigating survival and care in the midst of destruction. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers have faced immense difficulties, including from the collapse in healthcare services.”
Oxfam is urging an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and a halt to arms sales to Israel. It also demands full humanitarian access to Gaza, the removal of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and reparations for affected Palestinian communities.