Gaza guide
This guide connects Gaza’s modern history with October 7, Israel’s military campaign, the humanitarian crisis and the separate legal work of the ICJ and ICC. Current claims retain their dates, institutional attribution and legal status.
2005–2007
Chapter 18
In 2005, Israel removed its settlements and permanent ground forces from inside Gaza. In 2006, Hamas won a majority of seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council. After escalating conflict with Fatah, Hamas seized de facto control of Gaza in 2007.
2007–2022
Chapter 19
After Hamas took control of Gaza, Israel imposed a land, sea and air blockade, and Egypt tightly restricted its crossing. Israel said the restrictions were necessary to prevent weapons reaching Hamas. The blockade also constrained civilian movement, trade, construction, medical travel and the wider economy.
2022–6 OCTOBER 2023
Chapter 20
The Hamas-led attack did not emerge from calm, although nothing that preceded it excused attacks on civilians. The years before 7 October saw no meaningful peace process, continued settlement expansion, deep Palestinian political division and recurring violence in Gaza, Jerusalem and the West Bank.
7 OCTOBER 2023
Chapter 21
Hamas and other armed groups broke through the Gaza perimeter and attacked southern Israel. They assaulted civilian communities, military bases, roads and the Nova music festival. About 1,200 people were killed, according to revised Israeli figures, and 251 people were taken hostage.
OCTOBER 2023–OCTOBER 2025
Chapter 22
Israel said its objectives were to destroy Hamas’s military and governing capacity and return the hostages. It launched a large air campaign, imposed what its defence minister called a complete siege, ordered mass evacuations and sent ground forces into Gaza. The campaign killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, displaced almost the entire population and damaged or destroyed homes, hospitals, schools, universities, water systems, roads, farms, religious sites and cultural property.
OCTOBER 2025–PRESENT
Chapter 23
A US-brokered ceasefire took effect on 10 October 2025. The remaining 20 living Israeli hostages were released, Palestinian prisoners were freed, and Israeli forces withdrew to an agreed line inside Gaza. Full-scale warfare receded, but the agreement left the hardest political questions unsettled.
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