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Israel challenges Palestinian claim on Gaza dead | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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JERUSALEM (AP) – The Israeli military is disputing Palestinian claims that most of the people killed in the recent Gaza Strip war were civilians.

The army says an internal investigation found that 1,166 people were killed in the three-week offensive that ended in January. It says 709 were Hamas militants, and just under 300 people were civilians. It says it’s unclear clear whether an additional 162 men who died were militants or civilians.

An army statement Thursday did not provide a list of the dead but said its figures are based on information from intelligence sources, and that the names were thoroughly cross-referenced and examined.

Palestinians said 1,417 people were killed, including more than 900 civilians.

The heavy civilian toll sparked an international outcry.