A report in the UK medical journal The Lancet, has estimated the Palestinian death toll in Israel’s war on Gaza is likely to be 186,000 or more.
The Gaza Ministry of Health count of bodies brought to hospitals or medical facilities stands at over 38,000 – mostly women and children. However the Lancet report is clear that this is a hopeless underestimate which does not, for example, take account of bodies buried in the rubble – estimated by some at 10,000 or more. The report goes on to say:
Armed conflicts have indirect health implications beyond the direct harm from violence. Even if the conflict ends immediately, there will continue to be many indirect deaths in the coming months and years from causes such as reproductive, communicable, and non-communicable diseases. The total death toll is expected to be large given the intensity of this conflict; destroyed health-care infrastructure; severe shortages of food, water, and shelter; the population’s inability to flee to safe places; and the loss of funding to UNRWA, one of the very few humanitarian organisations still active in the Gaza Strip.
In recent conflicts, such indirect deaths range from three to 15 times the number of direct deaths. Applying a conservative estimate of four indirect deaths per one direct death
to the 37 396 deaths reported, it is not implausible to estimate that up to 186 000 or even more deaths could be attributable to the current conflict in Gaza. Using the 2022 Gaza Strip population estimate of 2 375 259, this would translate to 7·9% of the total population in the Gaza Strip.
The New Zealand government continues its hypocrisy – fulsome condemnation of Russia and support for Ukraine alongside refusal to condemn Israel and miserly, grudging support for the Palestinian victims of Israeli genocide.
We will again be demanding our government hold Israel to account for its war crimes as we have done with Russia.
The details of the protests this weekend are below:
North IslandOpononi – Gathering for PalestineSunday 14 July1:30 pmOutside the Four Square, Opononi
KerikeriEvery first Saturday of the monthNot this Saturday
Whangarei – RallySaturday 13 July10:00 amWhangārei Town Basin in front of Hundertwasser Building
Auckland Picket – British ConsulateFriday 12 July12:00 noon151 Queen Street, Auckland CBD
Waiheke Island Market – AucklandEvery Saturday8:00 am – 1:00 pmOstend Market, Waiheke Island
Auckland –Banners around Tamaki MakaurauSaturday 13 July10:00 – 1:00 pmCnr Stoddard and May Roads, Mt RoskillText Steve for details (dependant on wind speeds)
Auckland – RallySunday 14 July2:00 pmTe Komititanga – Britomart Square
Tauranga – RallySunday 14 July11:00 am -12: 00 noonIn front of Woolworths – SH 2 – Bethlehem Rd
Hamilton – RallySaturday 13 July1:00 pmCivic Square, Hamilton
Cambridge RallySaturday 13 July11:00 amCambridge Town Hall
Rotorua – RallyThursday 11 July4:00 pmRotorua Lakes Council, Haupapa Street (Sir Howard Morrison Corner)
Napier – RallySaturday 13 July11:30 amMarine Parade Soundshell Roundabout
Hastings – RallySunday 14 July2:00 pmHastings Town Clock – Hastings CBD
Palmerston North – RallySunday 14 July2:00 pmThe Square, Palmerston North
New Plymouth – Flags on the BridgeFriday 12 July4:30 pmPaynters Ave BridgeCheck the local Facebook page to see if this is on this week.
New Plymouth – RallySaturday 13 July1:00 pmThe Landing, 1 Ariki Street, New Plymouth
Whanganui – RallySaturday 13 July11:00 amRiverside Market, Whanganui
CartertonEvery Tuesday12:00 middayMemorial Square.
Martinborough – Gathering for PalestineEvery Wednesday11:00 amThe square at the top of Kitchener St, Martinborough
MastertonEvery Sunday9:30 amTown Hall Lawn
FeatherstonEvery Saturday11:00 amThe Squircle (opposite the op shop).
Wellington – Flags (by the Falastin Tea Collective)Every Friday7:15 – 8:15 amHill Street bridge Overbridge, Wellington
Wellington – Rally (by the Falastin Tea Collective)Saturday 13 July1:00 pmThe corner of Victoria Street and Vivian street Please see Instagram account @falastin_tea_collective for updates.
South IslandNelson – RallySaturday 13 July10:30 am1903 Square, Upper Trafalgar Street, Nelson
BlenheimSaturday 13 July11:00 amBlenheim Railway Station
Christchurch – RallySaturday 13 July1:00 pmBridge of Remembrance, Cashel Street, Christchurch
Timaru – Market StallNot this week
Dunedin – RallySaturday 13 July1:00 pmOtago Museum Reserve to the Octagon, Dunedin
QueenstownNo Rally this weekend
Invercargill – RallySunday 14 July1:00 pmWachner place Invercargill
