Israel–Hamas war facts for kids
An armed conflict between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian groups has been happening in the Gaza Strip and Israel since October 7, 2023. This is the fifth war in the Gaza–Israel conflict since 2008. It has been the deadliest for Palestinians in the whole Israeli–Palestinian conflict. It is also the biggest military event in the region since the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
Contents
Overview of the Conflict
The war started when Hamas-led groups launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7. They fired many rockets. Thousands of fighters also broke through the Gaza–Israel barrier. They attacked Israeli towns and army bases. During this attack, 1,139 Israelis and foreign people were killed, including 815 civilians. Also, 251 Israelis and foreigners were taken captive into Gaza. Hamas said their goal was to make Israel release Palestinian prisoners. Hamas stated its attack was a response to Israel's continued occupation, blockade of Gaza, and settlements expansion. They also mentioned alleged threats to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the difficult situation of Palestinians.
After clearing the fighters from its land, Israel started a very strong bombing campaign. Israel then invaded Gaza on October 27. Its stated goals were to destroy Hamas and free the hostages.
Since Israel's operation began, over 39,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed. More than half of those identified were women and children. Israel's tighter blockade cut off basic needs like food and water. Attacks on buildings have also caused a healthcare system collapse and a coming famine. By early 2024, Israeli forces had destroyed or damaged more than half of Gaza's homes. They also damaged at least a third of its trees and farmland. Most of its schools and universities were also hit. Hundreds of cultural landmarks and at least a dozen cemeteries were also damaged. Nearly all of Gaza's 2.3 million residents were forced to leave their homes. Over 100,000 Israelis are also still displaced within their own country.
The war continues to have big effects around the world. Large protests have happened globally, mostly supporting Palestinians. These protests call for a ceasefire. The International Court of Justice is looking into a case. This case accuses Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. The United States has given Israel a lot of military help. It has also vetoed many UN Security Council ceasefire resolutions. Meanwhile, the Axis of Resistance groups have gotten involved. Some groups have attacked American military bases in the Middle East. The Yemeni Houthi movement has been attacking commercial ships they say are linked to Israel. This has led to a US-led military response. Also, there is an ongoing exchange of attacks between Lebanon's Hezbollah and Israel. This risks another full-scale war starting.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The Gaza Strip is facing a serious humanitarian crisis because of the Israel–Hamas war. This crisis includes both a famine (extreme lack of food) and a healthcare system collapse. When the war started, Israel made its blockade on the Gaza Strip much tighter. This has caused big shortages of fuel, food, medicine, water, and important medical supplies. This blockade led to a 90% drop in electricity. This affected power for hospitals, sewage plants, and water treatment plants. Many diseases have also spread across Gaza.
Heavy bombing by Israeli airstrikes caused huge damage to Gaza's buildings and services. This made the crisis even worse. Direct attacks on communication systems by Israel, electricity blockades, and fuel shortages caused almost all of Gaza's biggest cell networks to stop working. Without internet access, people in Gaza could not talk to their families. They also could not learn about army operations or find safe escape routes. The power outages also made it hard for emergency services. This made it tougher to find and help injured people quickly. It also made it harder for aid groups and journalists to work. By December 2023, 200,000 people in Gaza (about 10% of the population) got internet access through a special SIM card from Connecting Humanity.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that over 4,000 children were killed in the first month of the war. The number of indirect Palestinian deaths is expected to be much higher. This is due to the intense fighting, damaged healthcare, lack of food, water, and safe places. It is also due to less funding for UNRWA. Groups like Doctors Without Borders, the Red Cross, and a joint statement from UNICEF, the World Health Organization, the UN Development Programme, United Nations Population Fund, and World Food Programme have warned of a terrible humanitarian collapse. On November 8, UN Human Rights chief Volker Türk called the Rafah Crossing "gates to a living nightmare."
On July 30, 2024, the Gaza Health Ministry announced a Polio outbreak in Gaza.
Scale of Destruction
The amount and speed of destruction of buildings in the Gaza Strip are among the worst in modern history. It is more severe than the bombing of Dresden, Hamburg, and London combined during World War II. Israel dropped 29,000 bombs and shells on Gaza in three months. This is much more than the 3,678 dropped by the United States between 2004 and 2010 after its invasion of Iraq. After seven months, the war left 37 million tons of rubble. Much of this rubble has unexploded bombs. This averages 300 kilograms of rubble per square meter of Gaza. It is estimated it will take 14 years to remove it all.
The estimated destruction ranges from 35% of all buildings (March 2024, UNITAR) to 70% (December 2023, The Wall Street Journal). The northern part of Gaza has seen more destruction. By December 5, 2023, the percentage of damaged or destroyed buildings in Gaza was more than in Dresden and Cologne during World War II. It was close to the level of destruction seen in Hamburg. The bombing has destroyed or damaged apartment buildings, hospitals, schools, religious sites, factories, and shopping centers. The Guardian newspaper reported that this level of destruction has led experts to talk about "domicide". This term means the mass destruction of homes to make a place unlivable.
Diplomatic Impact Around the World
The war caused a major diplomatic crisis. Many countries around the world reacted strongly to the conflict. It also affected how countries in the region got along. At least nine countries took the big step of calling back their ambassadors and cutting ties with Israel.
The war has also made people focus again on a "two-state solution" for the wider conflict. This idea suggests two independent states, one for Israelis and one for Palestinians. Global public opinion of Israel has gone down during the war. A poll in January 2024 showed that the United States was the only wealthy country where Israel still had mostly positive approval.
Talks have focused on the chance of a ceasefire in the war. Egypt and Qatar have been helping to mediate talks between Israel and Hamas. The United Nations Security Council passed resolution 2728 in March 2024. This resolution demanded an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional release of hostages for the month of Ramadan.
After talks helped by China, Palestinian groups including Hamas and Fatah reached an agreement on July 23, 2024. They agreed to end their disagreements and form a temporary unity government. They announced this in the "Beijing Declaration."
Images for kids
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Israeli and Palestinian deaths before the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel. Most of these were civilians.
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Aftermath of an Israeli airstrike on the El-Remal area of Gaza City, October 9, 2023
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The black line shows the Israeli army's boundary at Wadi Gaza for evacuation of the northern Gaza Strip.
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Israeli Merkava tank in a Gaza street, January 4, 2024
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Tel Aviv, Israel, January 9, 2024
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US Vice President Kamala Harris with Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the 60th Munich Security Conference in Germany, February 2024
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