Do you believe the numbers released by the Hamas run Gaza Health Ministry?

 The credibility of the numbers released by the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry has been a topic of debate. The US intelligence community has expressed growing confidence in the death toll reports from the Gaza Health Ministry, but they do not have enough information to confirm for sure

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. The World Health Organization (WHO) and other international humanitarian agencies also consider the Gaza toll reliable, despite doubts expressed by U.S. President Joe Biden

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.However, there are concerns about the influence of Hamas on the Gaza Health Ministry. After Hamas seized the Gaza Strip from the Palestinian Authority in 2007, it began running a parallel government within the coastal enclave, including the Gaza Health Ministry

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. Some media outlets and experts have raised concerns about the potential for Hamas to manipulate casualty figures for propaganda purposes

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.Despite these concerns, many international organizations, including the United Nations (UN), continue to rely on the Gaza Health Ministry's data. The UN and other international agencies have stated that while there can be small discrepancies between the final casualty figures, they broadly trust them

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. The Washington Post also cites the Gaza Health Ministry's updates on death tolls

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.The Gaza Health Ministry is a mix of recent Hamas hires and older civil servants affiliated with the secular Palestinian Authority. Some officials insist that Hamas does not dictate casualty figures

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. The Palestinian Authority, which controlled Gaza before Hamas took over in 2007, still retains power over health and education services in Gaza, though it's based in the occupied West Bank

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.In conclusion, while there are concerns about the potential influence of Hamas on the Gaza Health Ministry's figures, many international organizations and agencies continue to rely on their data. However, it's important to note that these figures are difficult to independently verify due to the complex and volatile situation in the region.