AP Data Analysis Reveals Decrease in Deaths of Women and Children in Gaza Amid Escalating War Toll

**Shift in Israel-Hamas Conflict Dynamics: A Closer Look at Civilian Casualties**

In the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, a notable shift has emerged in the proportion of Palestinian women and children casualties, suggesting a significant change in Israel’s military tactics. According to an analysis by The Associated Press of data from the Gaza Health Ministry, the rate of women and children killed in the conflict has seen a sharp decline. This trend not only reflects on the battlefield strategies but also raises questions about the accuracy of public statements made by the ministry.

At the onset of the conflict in October, the casualty rate for women and children was alarmingly high, exceeding 60%. However, by April, this figure had dropped to below 40%. This change has largely gone unnoticed by both the United Nations and much of the international media, and the Health Ministry, linked to Hamas, has not made efforts to clarify these discrepancies.

Israel has faced intense scrutiny and criticism internationally for the high levels of civilian casualties in Gaza. Recent airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of dozens of civilians, further fueling the debate over Israel’s commitment to minimizing civilian harm. Despite these tragic incidents, the AP’s analysis suggests a deliberate shift in Israeli military operations, moving from widespread aerial bombardments to more targeted drone strikes and limited ground operations.

Experts like Gabriel Epstein from the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and Larry Lewis from CNA, a nonprofit research group, support the findings of the AP analysis. They argue that the reduction in civilian casualties is a direct result of Israel’s modified approach to its military operations in Gaza.

However, the daily death tolls reported by the Health Ministry have often contradicted the underlying data, with claims of a much higher percentage of women and children among the casualties. These discrepancies have led to accusations against the ministry of inflating figures for political purposes, a charge that complicates the already challenging task of assessing the true impact of the conflict on civilians.

The ongoing war has devastated Gaza’s healthcare system, making it increasingly difficult to accurately count and identify the dead. The Health Ministry insists on the accuracy of its data, emphasizing the human tragedy behind the numbers. Yet, as the conflict continues, the debate over the details of the death toll underscores the broader challenges of understanding and addressing the civilian impact of this prolonged and destructive conflict.

As international courts examine accusations of war crimes and as Israel continues its military operations, the focus on civilian casualties, particularly women and children, remains a critical issue. The evolving nature of the conflict and the strategies employed by both sides will undoubtedly continue to shape the discourse around the war’s legitimacy and its human cost.

Contributions to this report were made by AP correspondents Julia Frankel, Najib Jobain, and Lujain Jo from various locations across the Middle East.