Now that Israel has admitted the Gaza death toll is accurate, don’t let apologists move the goalposts | Ben Reiff

Israel is now trying to manage the fallout after admitting they accept the Gaza health ministry's death toll, which is over 70,000. For two years, Israel and its supporters denied the figures, claiming they were inflated or fabricated by Hamas. This denial was widespread, involving government officials, the US president, Congress, and various organizations. The media also played a role by labeling the health ministry as "Hamas-run," casting doubt on the reported numbers. Now, Israel is shifting the focus, emphasizing the civilian-to-militant ratio instead of disputing the overall death toll. This shift represents a significant change in their public stance. The initial denials were used to undermine the credibility of the Gaza health ministry’s data. This recent admission and the subsequent pivot are seen as damage control. The acceptance of the death toll contradicts previous criticisms. This change in strategy indicates an attempt to reframe the narrative. The article highlights the inconsistency and the political motivations behind the changing justifications. This maneuver aims to deflect criticism away from the large number of deaths.