Senior Demographers Question Gaza Mortality Study Citing Possible Double Counting

Professor Emeritus Sergio DellaPergola, a leading global demographer and senior researcher at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, has publicly challenged the reliability of a widely cited mortality study on Gaza. The study, published in The Lancet Global Health, estimated approximately 75,200 violent deaths during the "Sword of Iron" conflict.

In a letter to the journal's editorial board, DellaPergola and independent researcher Dr. Mark Zeloczin highlighted methodological flaws in the study. They argue these issues undermine the study's claim of population representativeness, which in turn calls into question the accuracy of the reported death toll.

Their critique suggests the possibility of double counting deaths, which could significantly inflate the casualty figures. This analysis raises concerns about the validity of the mortality estimates used in discussions about the Gaza conflict's human cost. Further scrutiny and verification of the data and methods are implied as necessary next steps.