BY THE NUMBERS

From reserve mobilization to enemy losses: Iron Swords by numbers

Six months after Oct. 7, the IDF reports staggering figures, detailing casualties, mobilized reservists, and tactical outcomes in a conflict marked by extensive ground and aerial maneuvers.

 

By Lilach Shoval  

 

Israel Hayom

Apr 7, 2024

 

 

 

Israeli forces in Gaza 

  

IDF casualties stand at 3,188 wounded, 12,000 projectiles fired toward Israel, 300,000 reserve soldiers mobilized, approximately 13,000 terrorists eliminated, and 33,000 targets attacked from the air. These are just some of the data published by the IDF Sunday, helping to grasp the extraordinary scale of Operation Iron Swords.

The numbers almost speak for themselves: The IDF has deployed its forces across several challenging and demanding sectors, and its soldiers have paid a heavy price. As of Saturday night, in addition to the 600 fallen soldiers (256 since the start of the ground campaign), each loss represents a full life and an eternal pain for their families and friends. There are also about 4,000 soldiers who were injured and are undergoing treatment and rehabilitation processes. Additionally, around 10,500 soldiers suffered from stress reactions (82% of whom returned to combat) and about 1,900 soldiers received psychological support (85% of whom returned to combat).

Many of the war's casualties and wounded are reservists. About 300,000 reserve duty soldiers have been mobilized since the beginning of the war, 17% of whom are women and 83% men. Some 77% of the reservists are between the ages of 20 and 39. Thus, these are mostly young men and women who had to leave their lives behind to engage in a difficult and exhausting war, the end of which is not yet in sight.

Despite significant criticism over the lack of support for reservists, grants totaling 12.5 million shekels ($3.3 million) have been distributed so far. In addition, the families of the wounded received vouchers worth a total of 5.5 million shekels ($1.4 million) and additional economic assistance of about 3 million shekels ($795,000).

The war involved a widespread aerial attack, with 32,000 targets attacked in the Gaza Strip and 1,400 targets in the northern theater. Additionally, since the beginning of the war, more than 3,300 land targets have been attacked. During the ground and air maneuvers in both theaters, thousands of terrorists were arrested and eliminated. In the Gaza Strip, more than 12,000 terrorists were eliminated, including 125 commanders. In the northern theater, 330 terrorists were eliminated, including 30 commanders.

In Judea and Samaria, arrests and activities have intensified since Oct. 7. There have been more than 70 operational activities, during which more than 6,000 detainees (including 1,600 Hamas operatives) were arrested. Some 420 terrorists were eliminated, and 19 terrorists' houses were demolished.

As for the situation in Gaza itself, the world claims there is a shortage of humanitarian aid, yet so far, 369,990 tons of humanitarian aid have been transferred, including food, shelter equipment, medical supplies, water, and fuel. This is in addition to 50 humanitarian airdrops comprising 3,000 packages. Furthermore, Israel has provided additional humanitarian responses through more than 15.5 million evacuation calls and messages and 9.3 million leaflets dropped.