The Associated Press analyzed the death toll in the Israel-Hamas war using data provided by the Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip. It found that the proportion of women and children killed has declined over time. The ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run government in Gaza, does not distinguish between civilian and combatant deaths, so the proportion of women and children killed is seen as the best available proxy for the civilian death toll. The AP analysis was based on those individuals the Health Ministry identified with full names, genders, birth dates and Israeli-issued identification numbers. In April, nearly 23,000 deaths fit these criteria.
