Gaza’s population has reportedly declined by approximately 9.5 percent compared with 2023, according to Ramy Abdu, chairman of the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor. He estimated that the territory’s population has decreased by around 224,000 people since the start of the war, saying the figures reflect the immense human toll of the conflict. Abdu also stressed that statistics alone cannot fully represent the suffering experienced by families affected by the war.
The current conflict began on 7 October 2023, when Hamas launched attacks on Israel, prompting a large-scale Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip. Since then, Gaza has experienced widespread destruction, mass displacement, and a severe humanitarian crisis, with international organizations repeatedly warning about the conditions facing civilians.
According to Abdu, the estimated population decline is linked to the cumulative impact of deaths, displacement outside Gaza and other demographic changes caused by the prolonged conflict. While the figures have been widely circulated, demographic estimates remain subject to change as the situation evolves and comprehensive population data remains difficult to verify during an active conflict.
The reported figures suggest Gaza’s population has declined by around 224,000 people since the start of the war, representing an estimated 9.5% decrease compared with 2023.
The humanitarian situation remains dire, with hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced and many facing shortages of food, water, healthcare and shelter. Aid organizations continue to warn that the true human cost extends beyond casualty figures, affecting nearly every aspect of civilian life.
The conflict remains ongoing, and the full demographic impact is expected to become clearer only after comprehensive post-war assessments and verified population data are available.
