I think the report by AP from last Thursday looks like its final or semi-final report on the casualties. So, belatedly, I report it to you below. My Wednesday estimate of 740? turned out to be reasonably accurate. The AP report also details, finally, their procedure for making the calculation of Lebanese casualties (AP states that the Israeli numbers "were provided by the government and by the military."
The war has been a sobering experience for many in Washington and Tel Aviv. Let's hope it has been sobering enough to generate a better connection, at the highest levels, to the reality of the limits and price of war.
Press Coverage of Civilian Casualties:
The figures for Lebanon come from the government's Higher Relief Council, which deals with catastrophic events. The exception is the death toll. That figure was compiled by the AP from police, security officials, civil defense officials, doctors, morgue attendants, the military, Hezbollah and witnesses -- including AP reporters and photographers. The Higher Relief Council figure, which is more than 300 higher, is noted as well. ...
The difficulty of counting the dead in Lebanon, especially in hilly and isolated areas in the south, has in some cases caused initial casualty estimates to be lowered. Lebanese officials also continue to search for additional bodies in the rubble.
LEBANON:
* Deaths: 845 total -- 743 civilians, 34 soldiers and 68 Hezbollah. Israel says it killed about 530 guerrillas. The Higher Relief Council put the overall death toll at 1,181 and said one-third were children and the majority were civilians.
* Wounded: 4,051.
* Number of buildings destroyed: More than 15,000 homes -- houses or individual apartments within buildings. About 900 commercial structures, including farms and factories. ...
* Damage to transportation system: 400 miles of roads; 80 bridges; the international airport.
* Overall damage: At least $3.5 billion to infrastructure; $9.4 billion overall, including clean up of a major oil spill from an Israeli strike on a storage facility at a Beirut power plant.
* Access to water and electricity was severely interrupted. About $180 million in damage to the electricity grid; $70 million to the water treatment and delivery system.
ISRAEL:
* Deaths: 157 total -- 118 soldiers and 39 civilians.
* Wounded: 860.
* Number of buildings destroyed: no official figures, but tax authorities report more than 6,000 claims for damaged buildings and more are expected as displaced people return home. ...
* Damage to transportation system: Not immediately available.
* Overall damage: Media reports say about $3 billion in damages and lost revenue, but do not give a source for that estimate. Israeli Finance Minister Avraham Hirschon could give no precise figure but said it would be "many billions."
* Access to water and electricity: Isolated water and electricity lines hit; repairs made within 48 hours.
http://news.yahoo.com/...