Post by : Rameen Ariff

Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, 2023, more than 67,800 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have lost their lives, according to official figures from Gaza’s health ministry. The conflict began after Hamas carried out a large-scale attack on Israel during the Jewish festival of Simhat Torah, leading to hundreds of deaths and the abduction of 251 hostages.

Israel responded with an intense air and ground campaign to destroy Hamas and rescue the hostages. Over time, Israel freed several hostages through agreements in November 2023 and early 2025, with the final 20 hostages released following a US-brokered ceasefire. In exchange, Israel released nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

The war caused a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Tens of thousands of civilians were killed, and 83 percent of buildings, including hospitals and schools, were damaged or destroyed. Most of Gaza’s population was displaced, and the region faced shortages of essential supplies. The UN declared famine in parts of Gaza in August 2025, while international investigators accused Israel of genocide, allegations that Israel denied.

The conflict also spread regionally. Iran and its allies supported Hamas, while Lebanon’s Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel. Yemen’s Huthi rebels carried out missile and drone strikes, and Israel engaged in a short war with Iran, targeting military sites.

Following months of intense fighting, US President Donald Trump proposed a 20-point peace plan, including a ceasefire, staged Israeli withdrawal, disarmament of Hamas, and formation of a transitional authority. After four days of negotiations in Egypt, a ceasefire was implemented on October 9, 2025, allowing displaced Palestinians to return and marking the release of remaining hostages. A high-level summit in Sharm el-Sheikh was held to support peace, attended by world leaders including Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, though neither Netanyahu nor Hamas representatives were present.

The Gaza war, one of the deadliest in recent history, highlights the ongoing humanitarian challenges and regional tensions in the Middle East, while the recent ceasefire offers cautious hope for peace and stability

#Global