2023 sees largest number of deaths and injuries worldwide, new study shows

A study has confirmed that the year 2023 recorded the largest number of civilians who were killed or injured by airstrikes, bombs, and shells in over a decade.

The study, issued by the Action on Armed Violence (AOAV), said that 33,846 non-combatants were killed or injured in 2023, an increase of 62% from the previous year.

It noted that this is the highest number recorded since the group began its annual survey in 2010, pointing out that these figures are based on reports of violence and conflicts around the world, which is less than the actual number of deaths and injuries during the year 2023.

The group’s executive director, Ian Overton, said that last year proved “to be the most damaging for civilians due to explosive violence since the group began monitoring it in 2010,” pointing out that “the battles and clashes in Ukraine and Sudan have contributed to raising the number of victims,” in addition to the attack on October 7 on Gaza Strip.

The group explained that Operation “Iron Swords” launched by Israel in response to the October 7 attack caused 37% of the total number of civilian casualties in 2023.

These figures announced by the group do not come close to the numbers of deaths and injuries in the war that the Israeli army is waging on the Gaza Strip, according to the latest statistics, the number of victims has exceeded 23,210, more than 59,000 injured, in addition to nearly 8,000 missing.