Gaza Conflict Overview
Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, launched in response to Hamas’s attack on southern Israeli communities on October 7, 2023, has resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths and widespread destruction. The following summarizes the human toll and damage, drawing largely from United Nations reports.
Deaths in Gaza
Since October 7, 2023, over 67,000 Palestinians have died, with nearly one-third under the age of 18, according to Gaza health authorities. The Health Ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. Israel estimates that at least 20,000 of the dead were fighters.
Israel maintains its operations target Hamas while attempting to avoid civilian casualties, citing the militant group’s presence among the population, a claim Hamas denies. Last month, a UN commission of inquiry concluded that Israel had committed acts of genocide in Gaza, citing the scale of killings, a finding Israel called “biased” and “scandalous.”
Israeli Deaths
From October 7, 2023, to September 29, 2025, at least 1,665 Israelis and foreign nationals were killed, including 1,200 in the initial October 7 attack. Israeli military casualties include 466 soldiers killed and 2,951 wounded since the Gaza ground operation began on October 27, 2023.
Following the October 7 attack, Hamas took 251 hostages to Gaza. Israel reports 48 remain, with 20 believed alive. Current negotiations involve potential hostage releases in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, though a quick resolution appears unlikely.
Infrastructure Damage
An estimated 193,000 buildings in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged, including 213 hospitals and 1,029 schools, according to UN satellite data from July. Only 14 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals remain partially operational, with southern facilities overwhelmed. The UN human rights office warned that deliberate population displacement in Gaza City could amount to ethnic cleansing.
Displacement
Just 18% of Gaza remains outside displacement orders or militarized zones. Many residents have been displaced multiple times. Since mid-August, over 417,000 people moved from northern to southern Gaza amid Israel’s intensified operations. Conditions in the south are dire, with families living in makeshift tents and stretched aid services struggling to cope.
Food and Hunger
Famine has taken hold in Gaza City and threatens to spread. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification reports that roughly 514,000 people—about a quarter of Gaza’s population—are experiencing famine. At least 177 deaths, including 36 children, have been linked to starvation and malnutrition. Over 60% of pregnant women and new mothers suffer from malnutrition.
Aid Efforts
Israel lifted an 11-week blockade on May 21, but aid reaching Gaza remains insufficient. Restrictions include closures of key crossings for food aid in September. Israel denies limiting aid and accuses Hamas of theft, which Hamas denies.
Approximately 73% of aid trucks entering Gaza in September were intercepted by civilians or armed groups. Since May 27, 2,340 people have died seeking food or aid. The Gaza Humanitarian Fund, operating independently of the UN and supported by Israel, reports delivering over 175 million meals since late May.
