War in Gaza
What has happened in Gaza since October 7?
EXPLAINED FROM SOURCES
The short answer
Israel launched a huge military campaign in Gaza after the October 7 attack. Its consequences for Gaza’s civilian population have been catastrophic. Israel has used air strikes, artillery and ground forces across the tiny Gaza Strip. Homes, schools, hospitals, universities, roads and other infrastructure have been destroyed or badly damaged.
The fuller explanation
Israel launched a huge military campaign in Gaza after the October 7 attack. Its consequences for Gaza’s civilian population have been catastrophic.
Israel has used air strikes, artillery and ground forces across the tiny Gaza Strip. Homes, schools, hospitals, universities, roads and other infrastructure have been destroyed or badly damaged.
Most of Gaza’s roughly 2.1 million people have been displaced, many repeatedly.
Casualty totals continue to change. The timeline’s Gaza chapter presents the latest reviewed figures with their source, date and methodology rather than treating them as timeless numbers.
People have also faced severe shortages of food, clean water, medicine, shelter and healthcare. As of the site’s latest review in September 2026, UN reporting continued to describe dire conditions and severe disruption to essential services.
Israel says its military objective has been to defeat Hamas, return the hostages and protect Israelis from another October 7 attack.
International organisations have documented alleged and established violations beyond simply fighting Hamas. The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry concluded in September 2025 that Israeli authorities committed genocide in Gaza. Amnesty International separately reached that conclusion in December 2024. Israel rejects both findings.