Gaza War: Ongoing Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis

The Gaza War, an ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant groups, primarily Hamas, continues to devastate the Gaza Strip, exacerbating a dire humanitarian crisis. Sparked by Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,195 Israelis and foreign nationals and took 251 hostages, the war has led to unprecedented destruction and loss of life. Israel’s military response, including airstrikes and ground operations, has resulted in over 58,000 Palestinian deaths, with more than half being women and children, and over 139,000 injuries as of July 2025. The conflict, rooted in the broader Israeli-Palestinian struggle, has seen multiple failed ceasefires, with the most recent collapse in March 2025, intensifying the suffering in Gaza. Below are key points highlighting recent developments and their implications.

Key Points:

Escalating Casualties and Destruction:

Since the war’s onset, the Gaza Health Ministry reports over 58,000 Palestinian deaths, with estimates from sources like The Lancet suggesting up to 186,000 total deaths, including indirect casualties from disease and starvation. Over two-thirds of Gaza’s buildings are damaged or destroyed, rendering large areas uninhabitable. Israeli airstrikes have targeted civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and religious sites, often justified by claims of Hamas using these as military bases.

Humanitarian Crisis and Aid Blockade:

Israel’s tightened blockade since March 2025 has blocked nearly all humanitarian aid, including food, fuel, and medical supplies, leading to famine-like conditions. The UN warns that 470,000 Gazans face starvation, with infectious diseases like meningitis spreading rapidly due to poor sanitation and overcrowding. UNRWA has been unable to deliver aid since March 2, 2025, and hospitals are rationing resources or shutting down due to fuel shortages.

Failed Ceasefire Efforts:

A temporary ceasefire in January 2025 collapsed by March, with recent talks in Qatar faltering over Israel’s demand for control over the Philadelphi Corridor and Hamas’s insistence on guarantees for a permanent end to hostilities. Proposals, including a 60-day ceasefire with partial Israeli withdrawal and release of 10 hostages, have not materialized, prolonging the conflict.

Civilian Targeting and Displacement:

Israeli forces have been accused of targeting civilians, with incidents like the February 29, 2025, attack on Palestinians waiting for aid, killing 100 and injuring 750. Mass displacement continues, with 85% of Gaza under Israeli militarized zones or evacuation orders, displacing over 714,000 people since March.

International Response and Accusations:

Amnesty International’s December 2024 report concluded that Israel’s actions constitute genocide, citing deliberate attacks on civilians and infrastructure. The International Court of Justice ordered Israel to reduce civilian deaths in January 2024, but compliance remains contentious. The EU and UN have criticized Israel’s aid restrictions and called for a ceasefire, while the U.S. has initiated airdrops and a temporary port for aid delivery, though these are deemed insufficient.

West Bank Operations:

Israel’s largest military operation in the West Bank since 2002, launched in August 2024, targeted Palestinian militants but resulted in civilian deaths, mass arrests, and infrastructure destruction in cities like Jenin. The UN and EU have condemned these actions as risking further escalation.

The Gaza War remains a complex and devastating conflict, with no immediate resolution in sight. The humanitarian toll, marked by mass casualties, displacement, and starvation, demands urgent international action to restore aid access and secure a lasting ceasefire.

Reasons for Gaza War’s Continuation

• Hamas’s October 2023 attack killed 1,195, took 251 hostages, provoking Israel’s response.

• Israel’s blockade restricts aid, worsening humanitarian crisis.

• Failed ceasefires due to disagreements over terms.

• Civilian targeting escalates tensions.

• International inaction and conflicting demands hinder peace efforts.