Israel–Hamas war
The war that began after Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, followed by Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
October 7 attacks: Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, that killed about 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages. The attacks triggered the war and shaped Israel’s stated military aims.
Humanitarian crisis in Gaza: Widespread civilian deprivation and disruption of essential services in Gaza during the war. Fighting, displacement, and restrictions on aid have intensified acute humanitarian needs.
Israeli–Palestinian conflict: The political and national struggle between Israelis and Palestinians over land, sovereignty, security, and rights. The war intensified this longstanding conflict rather than resolving its underlying claims.
Postwar governance of Gaza: Proposals and disputes over who will administer Gaza and provide security after major combat ends. Israel’s campaign has not settled which authority could govern Gaza afterward.
Gaza Strip: A narrow coastal territory bordering Israel and Egypt, home to about two million Palestinians before the war. Israel’s campaign has centered on Gaza, causing mass displacement and destruction.
Displacement in the Gaza Strip: The repeated flight of Palestinians from their homes during Israeli military operations in Gaza. Large-scale displacement has followed evacuation orders and shifting combat zones.
Israeli disengagement from Gaza: Israel’s 2005 withdrawal of settlements and permanent ground forces from the Gaza Strip. The withdrawal preceded Hamas’s later takeover and Israel’s continuing control of Gaza’s crossings and airspace.
Two-state solution: A proposed settlement creating independent Israeli and Palestinian states alongside one another. The war has sharpened disagreement over whether this framework remains politically attainable.
Hostage crisis in the Israel–Hamas war: The seizure and subsequent release, rescue, or death of people abducted during the October 7 attacks. Hostage releases and negotiations have repeatedly shaped the conduct of the war.
Civilian casualties in the Israel–Hamas war: Deaths and injuries among civilians during the war, reported by parties and monitoring organizations using differing methods. The scale and attribution of civilian harm remain central to public and diplomatic debate.