A senior official at the Biden administration said the death toll from the conflict in Gaza is likely far higher than the number projected by the local health ministry.
Barbara Leaf, assistant secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, told a House panel those killed more than one month into the war are likely "higher than is being cited".
She explained that during war it is difficult to get an accurate assessment. "We’ll know only after the guns fall silent."
Leaf added that based on the feedback they are receiving from a variety of individuals and partners on the ground, "it’s very possible that they’re even higher than is being reported".
Gaza health authorities say more than 10,800 people have been killed there, following the attack launched by Hamas on Israel on October 7.


St. Petersburg region port, oil terminal hit in Ukrainian drone attack
Thousands protest in Germany as far-right AfD sets sights on power
Trump extols America, rails at communism in US 250th celebration
Zelenskyy denies Russian capture of key eastern city Kostiantynivka
Keiko Fujimori declared winner of Peru presidential race
Ukrainian rescuers clear rubble as Kyiv mourns 30 killed in Russian attack
Monaco blast suspect is a Ukrainian woman who fled to Germany
Clinical trials begin for two potential Ebola treatments
