Israel’s war in Gaza has entered a deadly new phase after the launch of a major ground offensive in Gaza City on Tuesday, nearly two years after the conflict began with Hamas’s surprise attack on October 7, 2023. The war has since claimed tens of thousands of lives and left Gaza in ruins.
Hamas Attack
On October 7, 2023, during the Jewish holiday of Simhat Torah, hundreds of Hamas fighters crossed into Israel under the cover of rocket fire. The assault killed at least 1,219 people, mostly civilians, in kibbutzim and at a music festival. Militants also seized 251 hostages, some of whom were killed. Israeli intelligence later admitted it had underestimated Hamas, believing the group was focused on inciting unrest in the West Bank.
Hostages
Over time, Israel negotiated and carried out rescues, freeing some of the captives. By September 2025, 141 hostages had been released during ceasefires or returned in exchanges, while 47 remain in Gaza, at least 25 presumed dead. Their suffering, especially the tragic fate of the Bibas family, has symbolized the hostage crisis.
Humanitarian Crisis
Israel’s relentless military campaign has killed nearly 65,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. The United Nations reports widespread devastation, with over 78 percent of buildings destroyed, including hospitals and schools. Nearly all of Gaza’s two million residents have been displaced, many multiple times. Aid flows remain limited, and a UN-backed report declared famine in parts of Gaza, though Israel has disputed those findings.
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