Leaked IDF Intelligence Database Implies at Least 83% of Gaza Dead Were Civilians; IDF Calls Figures "Incorrect"
+972 Magazine, Local Call and The Guardian reported that a classified Israeli military intelligence database listed about 8,900 Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters killed as of May 2025 — against ~53,000 total deaths, implying at least 83% civilians. The IDF said the figures were incorrect. The database lists only named members of two groups.
On August 21, 2025, a joint investigation by +972 Magazine, Local Call and The Guardian reported on a classified database maintained by Israel's Military Intelligence Directorate, listing 47,653 people the army considers Hamas or Islamic Jihad operatives. As of May 2025 it recorded about 8,900 of them as killed — 7,330 certain and 1,570 probable.
Against the Gaza Health Ministry's toll at the time (~53,000), that implies at least 83% of the dead were civilians (86% counting only confirmed deaths).
Limits: the database excludes other armed groups and unidentified fighters; the reporters' sources said the real number of fighters killed is likely higher.
IDF response: "The figures presented in the article are incorrect and do not reflect the data available in the IDF's systems."
Expert comment: Therese Pettersson (Uppsala Conflict Data Program) said the ratio would be unusually high for a whole war; since 1989 only Srebrenica, Rwanda and Mariupol were higher.
Sources & References
- 1. +972 Magazine / Local Call / The Guardian (Yuval Abraham): "Israeli army database suggests at least 83% of Gaza dead were civilians" (Aug 21, 2025) — the underlying investigation, with IDF response and UCDP comparison
- 2. Al Jazeera: Israeli data shows 83 percent of Gaza war dead are civilians: Report (Aug 21, 2025)
- 3. Drop Site News on X: "at least 83% of Palestinians killed in Gaza were civilians, according to a classified Israeli army intelligence database" — example of the claim circulating on social media
- 4. The Forward (opinion): argues the 83% claim is highly questionable