More than 50% of deaths caused by explosive weapons in 2025 attributed to the Israeli army (NGO)

More than half of the deaths caused by explosive weapons worldwide in 2025 are attributed to the Israeli army, which is conducting operations in Gaza in retaliation for the attack of October 7, 2023, according to the annual report of the Explosive Weapons Observatory received Thursday by AFP.

In total, at least 22,600 civilians were killed or injured by explosive weapons in 65 countries in 2025, according to the census of this Observatory, a group of several dozen NGOs around the world that documents the damage caused to cities and populated areas by bombings, drone attacks, anti-personnel mines or cluster bombs.

The Observatory points out that "56% of the total deaths recorded worldwide (are) attributed to the Israeli armed forces", which are conducting military operations in the Gaza Strip in retaliation for the attack by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas on October 7, 2023 on their soil.

Despite a ceasefire signed on October 10, 2025, the Palestinian territory remains the scene of violence, with Israeli strikes almost daily.

Other countries where civilians have paid a heavy price include Ukraine, Burma, Syria and Sudan, with state armed forces being "responsible for 85% of all incidents causing civilian harm".

The use of drones in attacks against schools in Ukraine has jumped by 358%, while drone strikes on camps for displaced people in Gaza and the West Bank have increased fivefold, from 64 incidents in 2024 to 303 in 2025, the report also highlights.

These figures, which only count damage verified as being directly linked to explosive weapons, are probably underestimated, partly because they are very difficult to document, and partly because they do not take into account the consequences of the destruction of civilian infrastructure such as hospitals, which also causes casualties.

In addition to their deadly consequences, "the use of explosive weapons in populated areas systematically dismantles civilians' access to basic services essential for their survival: schools, hospitals, aid convoys, water pipes and food markets are destroyed at increasing rates," explained the advocacy director at Handicap International, which participates in the Observatory, in a statement.

Thus, attacks against health facilities and teams remain very high in 2025 (1,272 incidents), those against schools and universities have increased by 64% (1,416 incidents), and attacks against humanitarian aid operations are up 52% compared to 2024 (2,541 incidents).

AFP