Civilian Casualties from Explosive Violence Hit Record High in 2024

A recent study by Action on Armed Violence (AOAV) has revealed that civilian casualties from explosive violence reached the highest level globally in more than a decade, with 61,353 non-combatants either killed or wounded in 2024. This figure marks a staggering 67% increase from the previous year and is the largest total reported since the organization began its monitoring in 2010. A significant portion of these casualties, approximately 55%, or 33,910 individuals, resulted from Israeli military actions, primarily in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The second highest contributor was the Russian military's actions in Ukraine, which accounted for 19% of the total casualties.

The report indicates that Gaza was the most severely affected region, contributing to 39% of the reported civilian casualties. The Gaza Ministry of Health provides even higher death toll estimates, suggesting that more than 23,600 individuals were killed in the area alone during 2024. Iain Overton, executive director of AOAV, emphasized the need for the international community to address the situation, describing it as a catastrophic year for civilians caught in explosive violence.

The study also noted an increase in reported incidents, with the number of casualties from airstrikes doubling to 30,804. Previous peaks in civilian casualties were observed during the Syrian civil war and early campaigns against the Islamic State, but the current figures exceed those levels significantly. Although the report is based on English-language media, it is understood to be an undercount of the actual civilian toll.

As conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, and Lebanon intensify, the ongoing bombing campaigns continue to have devastating impacts on civilian populations.