(VOA) -- An Israeli human rights group says more than half of the Palestinians killed during Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip were civilians, including 252 under the age of 16.
The B'Tselem group's findings, announced Wednesday, contradict the Israeli military's claims that most of the dead were militants.
The group says 773 civilians were among the nearly 1,400 Palestinians killed during Israel's three-week offensive against Hamas in December and January.
Israel puts the death toll lower, saying 1,166 Palestinians were killed, and that 709 were militants. Thirteen Israelis died in the conflict.
B'Tselem says it gathered its information from researches who visited Palestinian homes and collected photographs, death certificates, and other items to determine the final toll.
Showcase your ideas, writing, and personal site to readers.
Make a secure online donation to