An armed conflict between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian militant groups[aa] has been taking place in the Gaza Strip and Israel since 7 October 2023. It is the fifth war of the Gaza–Israel conflict since 2008, and the most significant military engagement in the region since the Yom Kippur War in 1973.[137] It is the deadliest war for Palestinians in the history of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.[138]
The war began when Hamas-led militant groups launched a surprise attack on Israel on 7 October, which involved a rocket barrage and a few thousand militants breaching the Gaza–Israel barrier, attacking Israeli civilian communities and military bases. During this attack, 1,195 Israelis and foreign nationals were killed, including 815 civilians.[85][ab] In addition, 251 Israelis and foreigners were taken captive into Gaza, with the stated goal to force Israel to release Palestinian prisoners and detainees.[139][140] Hamas said its attack was in response to Israel's continued occupation, blockade of Gaza, expansion of settlements, Israel's disregard for international law, as well as alleged threats to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the general plight of Palestinians.[141][142][143] After clearing militants from its territory, Israel launched one of the most destructive bombing campaigns in modern history[144][145] and invaded Gaza on 27 October with the stated objectives of destroying Hamas and freeing hostages.[146][147]
Since the start of the Israeli invasion, over 40,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed,[ac] more than half of them women and children.[23][148][149] Israel's tightened blockade cut off basic necessities and attacks on infrastructure have destroyed Gaza's healthcare system and caused an impending famine as of February 2024.[150][151][152] By early 2024, Israeli forces had destroyed or damaged over half of Gaza's houses,[153] at least a third of its tree cover and farmland,[154][155] most of its schools and universities,[156][157] hundreds of cultural landmarks,[158] and at least a dozen cemeteries.[159] Nearly all of the strip's 2.3 million Palestinian population have been forcibly displaced.[160][161] Over 100,000 Israelis were internally displaced as of February 2024.[162] Throughout the war, Israel assassinated several Hamas leaders in and outside of Gaza.
