In the midst of the ongoing Israeli assault on Gaza, the health ministry in the region is facing scrutiny over its reporting of casualty figures. The reliability of the numbers provided by the ministry has been questioned by US President Joe Biden, citing concerns that the ministry, which is run by Hamas, may have a propaganda incentive to inflate civilian casualties.

On Thursday, the Gaza health ministry stated that the Israeli bombing had resulted in the deaths of 7,028 Palestinians, including 2,913 children, over the course of nearly three weeks. They claimed that this was in response to Hamas' cross-border attack, which allegedly led to the killing of 1,400 Israelis and the abduction of more than 200 others.

To counter allegations of fabrication, the ministry released a comprehensive 212-page list containing the names and identity numbers of every Palestinian claimed to have been killed during the Israeli bombardment.

Nihad Awad, the director of the council, defended the ministry's figures, stating that numerous journalists have confirmed the high number of casualties. He emphasized that videos emerging from Gaza displaying the devastation and loss of innocent lives should serve as evidence of the grim reality on the ground.

However, skeptics argue that Gaza's health ministry, being affiliated with Hamas, may have a biased agenda to exaggerate civilian casualties. They suggest that reputable news organizations should make the connection explicit when citing the ministry's casualty figures.

Contrary to these doubts, supporters claim that the ministry has a track record of providing reliable casualty figures and argue that it has fallen victim to the propaganda war conducted by Israel to downplay the impact of their bombing campaigns on Gaza.

In the past, the US State Department's human rights report has indirectly relied on the casualty figures from Gaza's health ministry. Omar Shakir, the Israel and Palestine director at Human Rights Watch, stated that their independent investigations have generally found the ministry's data to be consistent and credible.

Shakir acknowledged that determining the distinction between combatants and civilians among the dead is a challenge, but the high numbers of women and children killed indicate significant civilian casualties. He also emphasized the importance of differentiating between immediate casualty numbers released shortly after an attack and those compiled over time, with more accurate information.

The recent dispute over responsibility for a massive explosion at al-Ahli Arab hospital further fuels the debate. The ministry claimed at least 500 deaths in an Israeli airstrike, while subsequent accounts suggest that a misfired Islamic Jihad rocket may have been responsible, resulting in a lower death toll. The exact number of casualties in this incident is yet to be definitively confirmed.

Despite the ongoing debate surrounding casualty figures, the Gaza health ministry has historically been regarded as reliable due to their meticulous documentation of the deceased individuals and their close-knit community ties.

While critics assert that the numbers provided by the ministry may be inflated, the ministry's supporters argue that the scale of the Israeli attacks itself is responsible for the higher casualty figures, rather than any deliberate inflation.

As the battle for public opinion continues, both sides face accusations of manipulating casualty figures to further their own narratives. The Gaza health ministry finds itself caught in this broader conflict, with accusations and denials from both sides creating a fog of misinformation.

In the midst of this grim situation, the ultimate toll on innocent lives and the urgency to address civilian casualties remain paramount concerns for the international community.