Gaza War Two Years On: Devastation, Famine, Diplomacy

Two years after the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas-led assault that killed roughly 1,200 Israelis and left about 240–251 people captive, the Israel–Hamas war remains a prolonged, catastrophic conflict. Sustained Israeli bombardments, blockades and ground offensives have resulted in about 66,000–67,000 Palestinian deaths, the massive displacement of millions, widespread destruction of homes, hospitals and infrastructure, and a UN-declared famine amid allegations of genocide. Israel says its aims are to free the hostages and destroy Hamas, and has at times issued public warnings before strikes, but those objectives have not been achieved and fighting, hostage crises and intermittent ceasefires continue. The war has intensified political divisions in Israel—drawing criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s preparedness and empowering hard-line voices—while families on both sides continue to suffer. International concern has grown, with increased humanitarian responses including air-dropped aid and US-backed negotiations in Egypt, even as access to Gaza and tight control of information complicate aid delivery and independent reporting.