Over 67,000 Killed: Two Years of Relentless War in Gaza

Two years have passed since Israel launched a massive military offensive in Gaza, aimed at crushing the armed Palestinian group, Hamas. The toll has been catastrophic over 67,000 people killed and 1.9 million displaced, according to humanitarian organizations.

The war erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack in southern Israel, killing more than 1,100 people and taking 250 hostages.

Figures from the United Nations show that Israeli forces have destroyed more than 193,000 structures, including 213 hospitals and 1,029 schools, leaving most of Gaza in ruins.

As the war marks its second year, here’s a look back at the defining moments of this devastating conflict.

A Siege That Strangled Humanitarian Aid

After the initial Hamas assault, Israel vowed not to rest until the militant group was completely eliminated from Gaza. To achieve that, Israeli forces bombed key infrastructure, including tunnels and power lines, and sealed nearly all access routes into the enclave.

The blockade created a dire humanitarian crisis. With land, sea, and air routes closed, aid convoys struggled to reach civilians, and starvation spread across the territory.

Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that at least 177 people, including 36 children, have died from hunger, with thousands more facing severe malnutrition.

Attempts at Ceasefire

On November 24, 2024, Israel and Hamas reached their first ceasefire agreement, brokered by Qatar and Egypt, allowing the exchange of over 300 Palestinian prisoners for 81 Israeli hostages. Initially planned to last four days, the truce was extended twice, lasting a week.

A second ceasefire, signed on January 15, 2025, led to the release of 1,700 Palestinian detainees and 33 Israeli captives. It also permitted limited humanitarian aid deliveries, though aid agencies reported continued restrictions.

The truce ultimately collapsed on March 18, 2025, as both sides accused each other of violating its terms.

Israel Faces Genocide Charges

In January 2024, South Africa filed a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing it of committing genocide against Palestinians and demanding an immediate halt to military operations.

The ICJ ordered Israel to avoid acts that could constitute genocide and to facilitate humanitarian access to Gaza.

By August 2025, international organizations declared that famine was sweeping through Gaza claims Israel dismissed as “Hamas propaganda.”

South Africa continues to pursue the case, and a UN Human Rights Council expert panel has since supported claims that Israel’s actions amount to genocide, intensifying global pressure on Tel Aviv.

Calls for Palestinian Statehood

As civilian deaths mounted and the humanitarian crisis deepened, growing numbers of countries voiced support for recognizing Palestine as an independent state, arguing it was the only path to lasting peace.

During the UN General Assembly on September 12, 2025, 142 countries voted in favor of Palestinian statehood, while Israel and the United States opposed.

The UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, and Luxembourg later formally recognized Palestine as a sovereign state, hoping to pressure Israel to cease its offensive.

Most governments agree that peace requires Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza and the disarmament of Hamas, ensuring long-term regional stability.

The Search for Peace

Global diplomatic efforts to end the conflict have continued. The United States, Qatar, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates have all pushed for a lasting ceasefire.

On September 29, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a 20-point peace plan aimed at restoring peace and rebuilding Gaza into a prosperous, terror-free region.

The plan calls for a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops, the release of all prisoners, and the disarmament of Hamas fighters, after which Gaza would be governed by neutral Palestinian leaders under the protection of international peacekeeping forces.

To advance this initiative, Trump dispatched envoys to Egypt to negotiate further prisoner exchanges seen as the first step toward a possible path to peace in one of the world’s most protracted conflicts.