Hamas’s own health data for 2025 has sparked debate over claims of genocide and mass starvation in Gaza amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian groups. The Gaza Health Ministry, overseen by Hamas authorities, released an annual report outlining mortality figures in the Gaza Strip. The report states that in 2025, the population of Gaza grew, with births outnumbering deaths by a ratio of approximately two to one. The report also recorded 5,780 nonviolent deaths attributed to causes such as disease, old age, and hunger.
These figures have led some commentators to challenge allegations by certain Australian political figures and advocacy groups that Israel is committing genocide or causing mass starvation in Gaza. For instance, critics have pointed to statements by Greens leader David Shoebridge, who previously described the situation as genocide and claimed thousands of children faced imminent death from starvation. Similarly, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong had referred to an unfolding famine in the territory. The Australian Palestine Advocacy Network also accused Israel of ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Supporters of Israel argue that the Hamas data contradicts these claims, emphasizing the reported population growth and number of nonviolent deaths below previous projections. They also highlight that Israel has allowed substantial humanitarian aid into Gaza, including nearly 100,000 trucks of supplies from the onset of the recent hostilities through August 2025, and coordinated vaccination campaigns reaching hundreds of thousands of children.
The report also notes that 17,286 Gazans died from violent causes in connection with “war operations” during the year. Commentators aligned with Israel’s perspective point out that the majority of fatalities—over 70 percent—were males, suggesting a targeted military approach rather than indiscriminate violence against civilians. They further underline concerns about Hamas’s tactics, accusing the militant group of endangering civilians by operating from schools and medical facilities and of failing to provide shelter to protect Palestinian residents during conflict.
The report does not specify how many of the deceased were members of Hamas or affiliated militant groups. In a related development, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) recently published a report alleging that 170 Palestinians, purportedly journalists killed in the conflict, were operatives linked to Hamas or other armed factions. Among them were individuals claimed by Israel to have held roles within Hamas’s military structure, a charge disputed by some Palestinian organizations and external observers.
Critics of Israel reject accusations of indiscriminate targeting or genocide, while Palestinian advocates maintain that the Israeli military campaign imposes severe humanitarian harm on Gaza’s population. The contrasting narratives reflect the complexity and deep divisions surrounding the conflict’s human toll and the interpretation of casualty data.