How long has the war in Gaza lasted?

The conflict began on 7 October 2023 following a Hamas raid into Israel and has now entered its third year, making it Israel’s longest war since its 1948 creation.

What is the human cost so far?

Over 67,000 Palestinians have been killed, most of them civilians, including at least 20,000 children. Around 168,000 have been injured, many with severe combat-type injuries. Casualties represent roughly 10% of Gaza’s pre-war population of 2.3 million.

How many homes and buildings have been destroyed?

Approximately 436,000 homes (92 per cent of the total) and 78 per cent of Gaza’s 250,000 buildings have been damaged or destroyed. Debris totals 61 million tonnes, some contaminated with asbestos, industrial waste, or heavy metals.

How many people have been displaced?

An estimated 2.1 million Palestinians (95 per cent of Gaza’s population) have been forced to flee their homes, many multiple times, and now live in tent cities and overcrowded shelters with poor sanitation and limited water access.

What is the impact on children and education?

745,000 students are out of formal education, including 88,000 in higher education. Over 90 per cent of schools and 79 per cent of higher education campuses have been damaged or destroyed, and UNRWA schools are being used as emergency shelters.

How has healthcare been affected?

Only 14 of 36 hospitals are partially operational. 1,700 health workers have been killed, and more than 654 healthcare facilities have been attacked. Field hospitals provide limited relief, and bed occupancy is over 240 per cent in major hospitals.

What about food, aid, and malnutrition?

Aid has been heavily restricted, and agricultural production destroyed. A famine was declared in parts of Gaza in August 2025. Around 400 malnutrition-related deaths have been recorded, including 101 children. Pregnant women often survive on one meal a day.

How has the environment been impacted?

Gaza has lost 97 per cent of tree crops, 95 per cent of shrubland, and 82 per cent of annual crops. Only 1.5 per cent of cropland is currently suitable for cultivation. Explosive remnants and toxic residue pose long-term health risks.

What is the ongoing threat from violence and unexploded ordnance?

Since 2023, 132 explosive ordnance incidents have been recorded, killing 47 people (14 children) and injuring 249 (71 children). Entire families have been wiped out by single strikes, and many remain missing.

What accusations and international concerns have arisen?

Israel’s offensive has led to accusations of genocide, which Israel denies. UN experts have said the war’s scale and civilian impact meet criteria for genocide. Restrictions on aid and food access, combined with military operations, have caused immense humanitarian crises and post-apocalyptic conditions.

All you need to know as Gaza marks two years of war with Israel

Hostages remain in Hamas’ hands, and international peace efforts — including the latest US-led plan — have yet to bring an end to the bloodshed.

By: Express Web Desk

New Delhi | October 7, 2025 06:09 PM IST

1 min read

A tent camp for displaced Palestinians stretches among the ruins of buildings destroyed by Israeli bombardments in west Gaza City, Saturday, June 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi, File)

Two years after Hamas’ October 7 attack ignited one of the deadliest conflicts in the region, Gaza stands in ruins, Israel has inflicted devastating blows across the Middle East, yet neither side has achieved its ultimate goals. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have died, cities lie flattened, and famine grips parts of the blockaded territory. Hostages remain in Hamas’ hands, and international peace efforts — including the latest US-led plan — have yet to bring an end to the bloodshed.

As the third year of war begins, the human, political, and humanitarian cost continues to mount, leaving Gaza’s future uncertain and recovery a generational challenge.

Here is all you need to know as Gaza clocks two years of war:

01
How long has the war in Gaza lasted?
The conflict began on 7 October 2023 following a Hamas raid into Israel and has now entered its third year, making it Israel’s longest war since its 1948 creation.
02
What is the human cost so far?
Over 67,000 Palestinians have been killed, most of them civilians, including at least 20,000 children. Around 168,000 have been injured, many with severe combat-type injuries. Casualties represent roughly 10% of Gaza’s pre-war population of 2.3 million.
03
How many homes and buildings have been destroyed?
Approximately 436,000 homes (92 per cent of the total) and 78 per cent of Gaza’s 250,000 buildings have been damaged or destroyed. Debris totals 61 million tonnes, some contaminated with asbestos, industrial waste, or heavy metals.
04
How many people have been displaced?
An estimated 2.1 million Palestinians (95 per cent of Gaza’s population) have been forced to flee their homes, many multiple times, and now live in tent cities and overcrowded shelters with poor sanitation and limited water access.
05
What is the impact on children and education?
745,000 students are out of formal education, including 88,000 in higher education. Over 90 per cent of schools and 79 per cent of higher education campuses have been damaged or destroyed, and UNRWA schools are being used as emergency shelters.
06
How has healthcare been affected?
Only 14 of 36 hospitals are partially operational. 1,700 health workers have been killed, and more than 654 healthcare facilities have been attacked. Field hospitals provide limited relief, and bed occupancy is over 240 per cent in major hospitals.
07
What about food, aid, and malnutrition?
Aid has been heavily restricted, and agricultural production destroyed. A famine was declared in parts of Gaza in August 2025. Around 400 malnutrition-related deaths have been recorded, including 101 children. Pregnant women often survive on one meal a day.
08
How has the environment been impacted?
Gaza has lost 97 per cent of tree crops, 95 per cent of shrubland, and 82 per cent of annual crops. Only 1.5 per cent of cropland is currently suitable for cultivation. Explosive remnants and toxic residue pose long-term health risks.
09
What is the ongoing threat from violence and unexploded ordnance?
Since 2023, 132 explosive ordnance incidents have been recorded, killing 47 people (14 children) and injuring 249 (71 children). Entire families have been wiped out by single strikes, and many remain missing.
10
What accusations and international concerns have arisen?
Israel’s offensive has led to accusations of genocide, which Israel denies. UN experts have said the war’s scale and civilian impact meet criteria for genocide. Restrictions on aid and food access, combined with military operations, have caused immense humanitarian crises and post-apocalyptic conditions.