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As the IDF enters Gaza City for a new stage of its military operations, former Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. (ret.) Herzi Halevi revealed that over 200,000 Gazans have been harmed during the war. Halevi, who led the IDF from October 2023 to March 2025, described the conflict as “not a gentle war.”
Halevi’s comments, made off-the-record, appeared aimed at reassuring Israeli audiences that military lawyers had not constrained operations against Hamas. However, internationally, the statements fuel debates over Israel’s military conduct and the humanitarian impact on Palestinian civilians.
Hamas’s Health Ministry reports indicate around 65,000 killed and 164,000 injured, numbers roughly aligned with Halevi’s figures. IDF sources contend these figures are inflated and often fail to distinguish between Hamas fighters and civilians.
According to IDF estimates, approximately 22,000 Hamas militants have been killed. Additional casualties include Palestinian civilians accidentally harmed by Hamas rocket misfires and other war-related incidents. Reports suggest 15,000-20,000 Hamas fighters were injured by early 2024, with the number likely rising since.
Estimating the remaining Hamas forces is challenging. Initial IDF assessments placed the group at 24,000 fighters, later revised to 30,000-40,000 as recruitment increased. Factoring in casualties, both killed and injured, the current number of combatants is unclear but likely smaller than the initial estimates.
While up to 40,000-45,000 of those harmed could be Hamas militants, the vast majority of casualties are civilians. Proportionally, more civilians have been injured than killed, highlighting the war’s severe impact on non-combatants. Definitions of injury vary, with some instances including minor incidents during air raid evacuations.
Legal and ethical questions persist regarding Israel’s operations. If targeting followed military guidelines, adhered to proportionality rules, and attempted civilian evacuations, the campaigns could be considered lawful. Yet, alternatives to reduce civilian harm or negotiate ceasefires remain debated.
Critics argue that Israel may have missed opportunities to end the conflict sooner, whether in mid-2024 or early 2025, during temporary ceasefires or hostage negotiations. Such discussions remain speculative, dependent on the eventual outcomes for hostages, combatants, and Gaza’s civilians.
Halevi’s acknowledgment underscores the intensity of the war and the human cost, particularly on Gaza’s civilian population. As the IDF’s new phase unfolds, humanitarian, military, and political consequences continue to weigh heavily on the region.
The numbers, while debated, paint a stark picture of the conflict: thousands of Hamas fighters neutralized, yet tens of thousands of civilians harmed. The current stage of the war is expected to maintain the same high level of intensity, with widespread repercussions for both sides.
The humanitarian impact and military strategies will remain central to international discussions on the legitimacy and consequences of Israel’s ongoing operations in Gaza.
