Israeli Death Toll from Gaza Onslaught Hits 1,200

Latest Developments

Israel’s death toll in the ongoing Palestinian terrorist onslaught from Gaza rose to 1,200 on October 11. The updated tally was published by an Israeli military spokesperson, Lt.-Col. Jonathan Conricus, in a briefing aired on X as Israel continued to uncover new carnage in border towns liberated from Hamas marauders. “The death toll is a staggering 1,200 dead Israelis,” Conricus said. Of these, he said, the “overwhelming majority” were civilians. Separately, the Israeli military said at least 189 of the dead were from the security forces. The White House said 22 Americans are dead and 17 are missing.

In per capita terms, Israel’s losses would be equivalent to more than 40,000 Americans. The toll surpasses the number of Israelis killed in the entire Second Intifada. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian affairs, 1,024 Israelis were killed between September 2000, the launch of that wave of terrorism, and July 2007.

Expert Analysis

“This heartbreaking and harrowing atrocity will fundamentally remake Israel, a country weathered to the quick adjustments required by war. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been saying that the retaliation will ‘change the Middle East.’ Before that comes to pass, we are already seeing an Israel changed — shocked and grieving but coming together with an extraordinary focus on the hard job ahead.” — Mark Dubowitz, FDD CEO

“It is remarkable how over decades Hamas has consistently demonstrated a flagrant disregard for human life. The fact that it has a history of firing rockets at Israeli communities and inciting violent rhetoric to kill Jews is alarming. Yet it took a massacre of men, women, and children for the world to understand the terrorist group’s true nature.” — Joe Truzman, Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

“It’s the hidden hand of Khamenei’s regime in Iran that set the Middle East ablaze — and will trigger all-out war.” by Mark Dubowitz

“U.S. Rushes Weapons to Israel — With More to Come,” FDD Flash Brief

“Turning Congressional Outrage Into Action: A U.S. Response to Hamas’ War Against Israel,” by Mark Dubowitz and Richard Goldberg

“What the US and Israel need to do next in face of Iran terror,” by Richard Goldberg