Majority of Gaza dead are fighting-age men

One analysis of the Palestinian casualties in Gaza says that more than half are men aged 16-35, the age group of Hamas fighters.

The analysis of the civilian deaths, based on data collected by the Palestinian International Middle East Media Center, says that 79.7 percent of the dead are male, and 53.8% are men aged 16-35.

The death toll is heavily tilted toward fighting-age men. Children aged 5-9 make up 14.3% of the population, but 5.2% of the casualties, while young adults aged 20-24 make up 8.9% of the population but 24.2% of the casualties, with women making up only 9.5% of the latter group’s casualties, according to the report.

The graph reverses — that is, non-fighting age groups see a rise in casualties higher than their percentage in the population — among the elderly. Gazans over 65 make up just 2.6% of the population, but 3.3% of the casualties. This may be a reflection of their reduced mobility, making them unable to flee areas of heavy fighting.