Former IDF Chief Admits to 220,000 Casualties in Gaza

Speaking to residents in Ein Habor this week, Halevi characterized the campaign as a war where the military took the gloves off from the first minute. He stated that no legal authority had restricted his conduct, noting that more than 10% of Gaza's 2.2 million residents have been killed or wounded. This admission mirrors figures from the Gaza Health Ministry, which records over 228,000 casualties, excluding those missing or trapped under rubble.

The IDF’s strategy has relied heavily on artificial intelligence for target selection and the use of 1,000- and 2,000-pound bunker buster bombs. While Halevi maintains these actions comply with international law, the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over allegations of war crimes and forced starvation. South Africa’s genocide case at the International Court of Justice further underscores the global legal scrutiny surrounding these operations.

Recent investigations, including those utilizing classified IDF intelligence, indicate that civilian deaths account for the vast majority of casualties. Despite efforts by some officials to cast doubt on these numbers, the admission by Halevi provides a rare moment of internal confirmation. Previous comments from U.S. State Department officials, including Barbara Leaf and Matthew Miller, have similarly suggested that official death tolls may be significant undercounts of the actual human cost.