During a session with lawmakers on Thursday, United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made a striking statement regarding Palestinian civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. When questioned about the number of women and children killed, Austin stated, “It’s over 25,000.”
This figure raised eyebrows and stirred debate, given the severity of the toll. However, the Pentagon later clarified that Austin was citing the overall casualty count provided by Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry.
The conflict escalated significantly after an unprecedented attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,160 people. In response, Israel launched a relentless assault on Gaza.
The United States has long been a staunch supporter of Israel, providing extensive backing to its ally. However, amidst growing concerns over civilian casualties, Washington has been advocating for a ceasefire and a reduction in civilian harm in Gaza.
Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh emphasized that the figures cited by Secretary Austin originated from the Hamas-controlled health ministry. She stated, “We cannot independently verify these Gaza casualty figures.”
According to the health ministry’s latest report on January 21, the toll stood at more than 25,000 killed in Gaza alone. As of Thursday, the ministry updated the figure to over 30,000 casualties, underscoring the devastating impact of the nearly five-month conflict in the coastal territory.