2023 Israel–Hamas war Facts for Kids

October 2023 Gaza−Israel conflict

The Gaza war is a conflict between Israel and Hamas, a Palestinian group. It started on October 7, 2023. This war mainly takes place in the Gaza Strip and parts of Israel. It is the 15th major conflict for Israel in Gaza. This war has also caused bigger problems across the Middle East.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas-led groups attacked Israel by surprise. About 1,195 Israelis and foreign people were killed, including many civilians. After removing the attackers, Israel started bombing Gaza heavily. On October 27, Israel sent its army into Gaza. Their goals were to destroy Hamas and free people taken hostage.

Israel's army has fought in many areas of Gaza. This includes battles around Khan Yunis and the Rafah offensive. A short break in fighting happened in November 2023. But a new agreement was made on January 15, 2025, and it started a few days later.

Since the fighting began, over 48,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been reported killed. More than half of them were women and children. Over 100,000 Palestinians have also been hurt. Israel has made its blockade of Gaza stricter. This has caused a severe hunger crisis. Many people are at risk of famine. By early 2025, much of Gaza was destroyed. Large areas became unlivable. Hospitals, farms, and schools were ruined. Almost all of Gaza's 2.3 million people have been forced to leave their homes. Over 100,000 Israelis also had to leave their homes. This war continues to affect many countries around the world.

What Is This War Called?
Why Did This War Start?
See also

What Is This War Called?

Different groups use different names for this conflict.

Some militant groups call their attacks Operation al-Aqsa Flood.
Israel calls its counter-attack Operation Iron Swords.
Some news groups call it the Third Intifada. This refers to past Palestinian uprisings.
Others call it the Sukkot War. This is because it started during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.
Many people have called the first attack "Israel's 9/11 moment."

Why Did This War Start?

To understand the war, we need to look at its history.

In 1948, Israel was created. This led to a war that changed the map of the region.
The West Bank and Gaza Strip were left as separate areas.
In 1967, Israel took control of these areas. This is known as the Six-Day War.
Palestinians living under Israeli control had two major uprisings. These were called the First Intifada (1987) and the Second Intifada (2000).
In 2005, Israel pulled its soldiers out of Gaza.

Gaza Under Hamas

Since 2007, Hamas has governed the Gaza Strip.
The West Bank is controlled by the Palestinian Authority.
After Hamas took over, Israel put a blockade on Gaza. This means strict limits on goods entering and leaving.
Israel says the blockade is for security. But many groups say it harms the people of Gaza.
The blockade has badly damaged Gaza's economy.
In 2023, most people in Gaza lived in poverty. Many relied on international help for food.

Past Conflicts

Since 2007, Israel and Hamas have fought several times.
There were wars in 2008–2009, 2012, 2014, and 2021.
These past conflicts led to many deaths. About 6,400 Palestinians and 300 Israelis were killed.
In 2018–2019, there were large protests near the Gaza-Israel border. Many Palestinians were killed or injured.
Hamas started planning the October 7, 2023, attack after the 2021 conflict.

Reasons for the Attack

Hamas officials said their attack was a response to several issues.
These include Israel's control over Palestinian areas.
They also mentioned the blockade of Gaza and violence against Palestinians.
Restrictions on Palestinian movement and the imprisonment of thousands of Palestinians were also reasons.
Hamas wanted to free Palestinian prisoners by taking Israeli hostages.
Many experts say the long-standing Israeli control of Palestinian areas is a main cause of the war.
The Associated Press said Palestinians feel "despair over a never-ending occupation."
Some human rights groups have compared Israel's control to apartheid. This is a system of racial separation.
However, supporters of Israel disagree with this comparison.
In 2024, the International Court of Justice said Israel's control was illegal.

Other Factors

Some people in Israel have criticized their government. They say the government allowed work permits for Gazans. They also say it let money go to Hamas.
US President Joe Biden said the October 7 attacks aimed to stop peace talks. These talks were between Saudi Arabia and Israel.

2023 Israel–Hamas war facts for kids

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