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Today, the Associated Press reported, "U.N. humanitarian chief John Holmes said the overall Palestinian toll since the opening of the Gaza campaign on Dec. 27 stood at about 500, with about 125 of them civilians." Those numbers would indicate that 75% of fatalities in Operation Cast Lead are combatants.
Given the density of population, Hamas' human shielding, and the urban warfare required, the low number of civilian deaths relative to combatant deaths is extraordinary. To put things into context, during the Iraq War in 2003, combatants accounted for 71% of fatalities.
The population density figures are as follows:
Gaza Strip: 4,167 per square kilometer
Iraq: 65 per square kilometer
Source: CIA World Factbook
Given the density of population, Hamas' human shielding, and the urban warfare required, the low number of civilian deaths relative to combatant deaths is extraordinary. To put things into context, during the Iraq War in 2003, combatants accounted for 71% of fatalities.
The population density figures are as follows:
Gaza Strip: 4,167 per square kilometer
Iraq: 65 per square kilometer
Source: CIA World Factbook