A recent report by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) revealed that Gaza's population experienced a significant drop of 6% in 2024, equating to approximately 160,000 individuals. This decline was attributed to the toll taken by Israel's conflict with Hamas on the demographics of the Palestinian enclave.
According to the PCBS report, around 100,000 Palestinians had left Gaza since the commencement of the war in October 2023. Additionally, official figures from the Palestinian Ministry of Health indicated that at least 45,553 individuals lost their lives in Israeli attacks within the strip.
The report also highlighted concerning statistics, noting that 60,000 pregnant women in Gaza were at risk due to inadequate healthcare services, and a staggering 96% of the population was facing heightened levels of food insecurity.
As of now, Gaza's population stands at 2.1 million, with over a million children under the age of 18, constituting 47% of the total population.
Israel's Population Dynamics Amidst Conflict
In contrast, a separate report from Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) indicated that Israel's population continued to grow, albeit at a slower rate compared to previous years. The report suggested that this deceleration was influenced by Israelis opting to leave the country.
The CBS report cautioned that the full impact of Israel's multi-front conflict on long-term migration patterns was yet to be fully realized. In 2024, Israel's population saw a growth rate of 1.1%, a decrease from the 1.6% growth observed in 2023.
The report attributed this decline to a significant number of Israelis emigrating from the country during the year, with approximately 82,700 residents departing, up from 55,000 in the previous year.
By the end of 2024, Israel's population surpassed the 10-million mark for the first time, reaching an estimated 10.027 million. However, it's important to note that this count includes foreign nationals residing in the country.
Challenges Amid Political Turmoil
Israel has not only grappled with population shifts but also faced political upheaval. In 2023, the country witnessed widespread protests against proposed governmental reforms to the judicial system under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration.
Subsequently, Israel engaged in a conflict with Hamas in Gaza following violent attacks by the Palestinian militant group in October 2023. The ongoing hostilities have resulted in significant casualties, with over 45,000 individuals losing their lives and 108,000 sustaining injuries in Gaza, as reported by the local health ministry.
Furthermore, Israel has been involved in confrontations with the Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, as well as facing challenges from Iran, the Houthis in Yemen, and militants in Syria and Iraq who claim to be acting in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
