About our Israel/Gaza News
Latest news on the Israel/Gaza situation, which is part of the ongoing Israeli–Palestinian conflict, including the death and suffering of many innocent civilians. The situation has escalated with Israel taking control of northern Gaza in response to Hamas' deadly cross-border attack on 7 October 2023. The Israeli military has conducted a ground offensive against Hamas, targeting key figures and infrastructure.
The current conflict between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian militants, primarily in the Gaza Strip, began on 7 October 2023. It began with a surprise attack by Hamas-led militants, involving rocket barrages and 3,000 militants breaching the Gaza–Israel barrier, resulting in significant Israeli civilian and military casualties, and hostages taken to Gaza. Hamas claimed the attack was a response to various grievances against Israel.
Israel retaliated with an extensive aerial bombardment on Gaza, dropping 6,000 bombs, imposing a total blockade, and initiating a ground invasion. This marked the most significant military escalation since the 1973 Yom Kippur War. The Gaza Health Ministry reported over 15,500 Palestinian casualties, including over 6,000 children, making it one of the deadliest wars for children in modern times. Both Israel and Hamas face accusations of war crimes.
The conflict led to widespread displacement, with about 1.8 million Palestinians and 500,000 Israelis internally displaced. Gaza faces a severe humanitarian crisis, with its health system partially collapsed and acute shortages of essential supplies. The United Nations has raised concerns about potential starvation and disease spread due to Israel's cutoff of resources.
Internationally, the war has sparked global protests and divided opinions. The United States vetoed a UN resolution for a ceasefire, and later rejected a non-binding General Assembly resolution. The UN Security Council called for humanitarian pauses in Gaza. A temporary truce was agreed upon by Israel and Hamas, involving a hostage-prisoner exchange, but accusations of truce violations have occurred, and combat has resumed.