Israel-Hamas War: Israel has officially revised the death toll from the October 7 Hamas attack on Israeli communities and military bases in southern Israel. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lior Haiat reported the updated figure, lowering it from approximately 1,400 to around 1,200 people, as per The Times of Israel.
This adjustment comes as Israel diligently works to identify all victims, a process ongoing five weeks after the tragic events unfolded. While Haiat did not disclose details regarding the reason for the revised figures, Israel has reported that security forces eliminated around 1,500 terrorists during the attack and the subsequent Israeli response.
Authorities have persistently strived to identify victims of Hamas’s assault, where thousands breached the border fence, attacking families in homes, on streets, and at a rave. Some victims suffered brutal acts recorded by the perpetrators, including torture, rape, burning, and mutilation. Additionally, hundreds of soldiers stationed near the border lost their lives.
The death toll is anticipated to continue fluctuating, and reports suggest that some of the 240 people initially thought kidnapped may not be alive. This week, archaeologists involved in victim identification efforts discovered remains of at least 10 people in burned houses.
Most identification work is concentrated at the Military Rabbinate’s main base in Ramle, where bodies are slowly processed and identified through various technological means. The most recent military death toll indicates 318 service members killed during the attack, with another 37 since the IDF’s ground offensive in Gaza, and police cite an additional 59 dead.
Current estimates suggest a civilian death toll of around 800. Israel initiated an air and ground campaign in response to the attack, aiming to eliminate Hamas, while the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza claims over 11,000 deaths. Israel asserts efforts to avoid civilian harm but contends challenges in confronting a terror organization within civilian areas.