Tens of Thousands Killed and Widespread Destruction in Gaza War

Gaza, October 7, 2025 Two years after the conflict between Israel and Hamas began, Gaza remains devastated, with tens of thousands of people killed and large parts of the territory reduced to rubble. The war started on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked southern Israeli towns. In response, Israel launched a major military offensive in Gaza, which has since caused massive loss of life and destruction. According to Gaza’s health authorities, more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed since the fighting began. Nearly one-third of the victims are children under 18. The Health Ministry’s figures do not separate civilians from fighters, while Israel claims that at least 20,000 of those killed were Hamas members. Israel says it targets militants but accuses Hamas of using civilians as shields, an allegation Hamas denies. A U.N. commission recently stated that Israel’s actions in Gaza amount to genocide, a claim Israel strongly rejected as biased and false. On the Israeli side, official data shows that at least 1,665 Israelis and foreign nationals have died since the start of the conflict. Around 1,200 people were killed in the initial Hamas attack. Since Israel’s ground operation began in late October 2023, 466 Israeli soldiers have died and nearly 3,000 have been injured. Hamas had also taken 251 hostages into Gaza; Israel says 48 are still being held, with 20 believed to be alive. Discussions over a possible ceasefire and prisoner exchange continue, though no agreement has been reached yet. The scale of physical destruction in Gaza is severe. According to the United Nations Satellite Centre, nearly 193,000 buildings have been damaged or destroyed. Over 200 hospitals and more than 1,000 schools have been hit. Only 14 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals remain partially functional, mostly in the south, where medical facilities are overwhelmed with casualties. The U.N. human rights office has warned that the level of destruction and forced displacement could amount to ethnic cleansing. The war has also displaced most of Gaza’s population. The U.N. estimates that only about 18% of the territory remains outside displacement zones or militarised areas. Many Palestinians have been forced to move several times, seeking safety. Since Israel intensified operations in Gaza City in mid-August, more than 417,000 people have fled from the north to the south. However, conditions in the south are dire, with overcrowded shelters, limited food, and poor sanitation. Hunger has reached alarming levels. A global food monitor reported that famine has already taken hold in parts of Gaza and could spread further. Over half a million people are facing famine-like conditions, and 177 people, including 36 children, have died from starvation. More than 60% of pregnant women and new mothers are suffering from malnutrition. Despite Israel lifting its blockade on supplies in May, aid deliveries remain limited. Many convoys face restrictions or are intercepted before reaching those in need. The U.N. reports that about 73% of food aid trucks were stopped by desperate civilians or armed groups. Since May, at least 2,340 people have been killed while trying to access food or aid. As the conflict continues, Gaza faces one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent history. Gaza War Leaves Trail of Death and Destruction Two years after the war began, Gaza remains shattered, with more than 67,000 Palestinians killed and vast areas destroyed. Israel’s offensive, launched after Hamas’s October 2023 attack, has caused immense civilian suffering and displacement. Nearly 200,000 buildings, hospitals, and schools have been damaged, and famine is spreading amid severe shortages of food and aid. Only a handful of hospitals are still functional, struggling to treat thousands of wounded. With talks for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange still uncertain, Gaza continues to face one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent history.