Civilian casualties from bombing and other explosive violence have reached their highest level globally in over a decade, largely due to intense conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, and Ukraine, according to an annual study by Action on Armed Violence (AOAV). The report reveals that 61,353 non-combatants were killed or wounded in 2024, marking a 67% increase from the previous year, which had already been the highest recorded since AOAV began its surveys in 2010.
Israeli military actions contributed to 55% of these casualties, totaling 33,910, while Russian attacks in Ukraine accounted for 19% (11,693). Other significant conflicts included those in Sudan and Myanmar, which together represented 8% of the total.
AOAV Executive Director Iain Overton described the figures as devastating, highlighting the severe impact on civilians in Gaza, Ukraine, and Lebanon. The group’s data, based on English-language reports, suggests these numbers are likely an undercount due to incomplete media coverage.
Globally, reported civilian deaths rose by 51% to 25,116, and injuries increased by 81% to 36,237. The number of deadly incidents also rose by 26% to 10,120, reflecting major simultaneous conflicts, including Israel’s battles against Hamas and Hezbollah, and Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Gaza was the hardest-hit region, with 39% of all casualties reported in English-language media, though local sources suggest even higher figures. A Lancet study indicated that the death toll in Gaza during the first nine months of the Israel-Hamas war could be 40% higher than official Palestinian estimates.
Despite these figures, Israel asserts that it takes extensive measures to minimize civilian casualties, disputing the report’s accuracy. The primary causes of casualties were airstrikes and missile attacks, with significant increases in both types of violence compared to the previous year.
