Israel initiated a military operation in Gaza as a response to an attack by Hamas on Israeli communities on October 7, 2023, resulting in significant casualties and destruction. Reports from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs provide insights into the toll of the conflict.
Since October 7, 2023, over 67,000 Palestinians in Gaza have lost their lives, with nearly a third of the deceased being under 18 years old, as reported by Gaza health authorities. The Health Ministry’s data does not differentiate between civilians and combatants, while Israel has stated that approximately 20,000 of the casualties were Hamas fighters.
Israel justifies its military actions as targeting Hamas and claims efforts to minimize civilian casualties, alleging that Hamas uses the civilian population as a shield, a claim denied by Hamas. A recent United Nations inquiry labeled Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide, citing the scale of the violence. Israel rejected this characterization as biased and scandalous.
Official Israeli sources reported that a total of 1,665 Israelis and foreign nationals lost their lives during the conflict between October 7, 2023, and September 29, 2025. The Israeli military confirmed the deaths of 466 soldiers in combat, with 2,951 others wounded since the ground operation commenced on October 27, 2023.
Following the October 7 attack, Hamas took 251 individuals as hostages to Gaza, with 48 hostages still held captive, and ongoing negotiations aim to secure their release through a prisoner exchange agreement.
Extensive damage has been inflicted on Gaza, with approximately 193,000 buildings destroyed or damaged, including 213 hospitals and 1,029 schools. The World Health Organization reported that only 14 out of Gaza’s 36 hospitals are partially operational, with severe strain on facilities in southern Gaza.
The United Nations expressed deep concerns over the destruction in Gaza City, warning against any forced population relocation, which could amount to ethnic cleansing. Displacement orders affect around 82% of the Gaza Strip’s territory, leading to multiple displacements for many Palestinians.
Since Israel escalated its military operations in Gaza City to target Hamas, over 417,000 people have been displaced within the enclave. Aid agencies highlighted deteriorating conditions, with reports of famine spreading in Gaza City, affecting a significant portion of the population.
Despite the lifting of a blockade on supplies entering Gaza on May 21, aid agencies struggled to meet the escalating needs due to restrictions and logistical challenges. Accusations of aid theft by Hamas have been denied, while incidents of aid interception by civilians or armed groups have been reported.
Tragically, since May 27, over 2,340 individuals lost their lives while seeking food or aid in Gaza, prompting concerns over access to essential resources. The Gaza Humanitarian Fund, operating independently and supported by Israel, has distributed millions of meals to alleviate the crisis as of September 29.