Israel–Hamas war
Ongoing armed conflict in the Middle East / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An armed conflict between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian militant groups[lower-alpha 27] has been taking place in the Gaza Strip and Israel since 7 October 2023. The fifth war of the Gaza–Israel conflict since 2008, it has been the deadliest for Palestinians in the entire Israeli–Palestinian conflict,[115] and the most significant military engagement in the region since the Yom Kippur War.[116]
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 and attacking Israeli civilian communities and military bases. During this attack, 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals were killed, including 815 civilians.[117][lower-alpha 28] In addition, 251 Israelis and foreigners were taken captive into Gaza, with the stated goal to force Israel to release Palestinian prisoners.[118] Hamas said its attack was in response to Israel's continued occupation, blockade of Gaza, and expansion of settlements, as well as alleged threats to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the general plight of Palestinians.[119][120][121] After clearing militants from its territory, Israel launched one of the most destructive bombing campaigns in modern history[122][123] and invaded Gaza on 27 October with the stated objectives of destroying Hamas and freeing hostages.[124][125]
Since the start of the Israeli operation, more than 39,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed, of whom 52% of those identified were women and children.[126][127][128] Israel's tightened blockade cut off basic necessities and attacks on infrastructure have caused healthcare collapse and an impending famine.[129][130] By early 2024, Israeli forces had destroyed or damaged more than half of Gaza's houses,[131] at least a third of its tree cover and farmland,[132][133] most of its schools and universities,[134][135] hundreds of cultural landmarks,[136] and at least a dozen cemeteries.[137] Nearly all of the strip's 2.3 million residents have been forcibly displaced.[138][139] Over 100,000 Israelis remain internally displaced.[140]
The war continues to have significant regional and international repercussions. Large, primarily pro-Palestinian protests have taken place across the world, calling for a ceasefire. The International Court of Justice is reviewing a case accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.[141] The United States has given Israel extensive military aid and vetoed multiple UN Security Council ceasefire resolutions.[142] Meanwhile, the Axis of Resistance has engaged, with its groups attacking American military bases in the Middle East; the Yemeni Houthi movement attacking commercial ships allegedly linked to Israel, incurring a US-led military response;[143] and the ongoing exchange of strikes between Lebanon's Hezbollah and Israel risking the eruption of another full-scale war.[144]