A combined analysis by Oxfam and Action on Armed Violence (AOAV) revealed that more women and children have been killed in Gaza by the Israeli military in the past year than in any other conflict over the past two decades.

The report highlighted that over 6,000 women and 11,000 children have died in Gaza over the last 12 months alone—far surpassing previous records of civilian deaths in conflict.

The data showed that Israeli explosive weapons struck civilian infrastructure in Gaza once every three hours on average since the war began.

Over the past year, more than 6,000 women and 11,000 children were killed in Gaza by the Israeli military, setting a record for conflict-related deaths. By comparison, the Small Arms Survey estimates that the highest number of women killed in a single year was over 2,600 in Iraq in 2016.

A report from Every Casualty Counts revealed that over the first 2.5 years of the Syrian conflict, an average of 4,700 children were killed annually. UN reports on Children and Armed Conflict over the last 18 years indicate that no other conflict has resulted in a higher number of child deaths in a single year.

Separate data compiled by AOAV up until 23 September showed that Israeli explosive weapons have hit civilian infrastructure across Gaza once every three hours, on average. Apart from a brief six-day humanitarian pause last November, there were only two days in the past year without bombardment. The regularity of the attacks is staggering: Homes were hit every four hours, on average; Temporary shelters every 17 hours, on average; Schools and hospitals every four days, on average, and aid distribution points and warehouses every 15 days, on average.

Dr. Iain Overton, Executive Director of AOAV, remarked: “The relentless use of explosive weapons in civilian areas is appalling, and these figures represent a tragic failure of the international community. The scale of devastation in Gaza should be a wake-up call. The continued bombardment of homes, schools, and hospitals with such frequency highlights a disregard for human life and international law. It will take generations for these communities to recover.”

The ongoing Israeli military campaign has consistently violated International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with attacks on infrastructure critical for civilian survival. Civilians have been forcibly displaced multiple times to so-called “safe zones,” which have often been bombed or otherwise attacked.

In the broader context of the conflict, Oxfam reported that, in addition to the thousands of women and children killed, the number of unidentified, missing, or entombed beneath rubble could push the death toll even higher. A recent Lancet study suggested that when indirect deaths—those caused by starvation and lack of healthcare—are taken into account, the true number of fatalities in Gaza may exceed 186,000.

Regional Escalation and Calls for Ceasefire

As hostilities continue to spread to Lebanon and the West Bank, Oxfam has called for an immediate ceasefire. Sally Abi Khalil, Oxfam’s Middle East and North Africa Director, emphasised the gravity of the situation: “The international community’s failure to hold Israel accountable and its continued provision of arms have enabled the atrocities we are witnessing. The loss of life and devastation in Gaza is both appalling and heartbreaking. A permanent ceasefire is needed now.”

More than 25,000 children have either lost a parent or become orphans over the past year, suffering not only from the loss of loved ones but also from physical trauma, with many children facing life with severe injuries and disabilities.

Dr. Umaiyeh Khammash, Director of Oxfam partner Juzoor, which supports hundreds of thousands of people across Gaza, added: “The past year has been one of immense suffering for women, who now bear the burden of leading their households in the face of utter destruction. The collapse of healthcare services has hit pregnant and breastfeeding mothers particularly hard, and the trauma experienced by children—many of whom have lost limbs or are dealing with deep emotional distress—is indescribable.”

West Bank and Settler Violence

The violence is not confined to Gaza. In the West Bank, Oxfam reported that over 680 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli settlers or military forces since last October. Over a thousand settler attacks have targeted Palestinian agricultural land, destroying crops, irrigation systems, and greenhouses, including internationally funded projects supported by Oxfam. More than 2,000 Palestinian homes have been demolished, further compounding the humanitarian crisis.

Oxfam and AOAV have jointly called for an immediate, permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages and unlawfully detained Palestinians, and an end to lethal arms sales to Israel. They also demanded full access for humanitarian aid to Gaza and an international effort to hold Israel accountable under international law.