RAFAH, Gaza Strip — The death toll continues to rise in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, with the Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip reporting that over 25,000 Palestinians have now been killed. This ongoing violence has resulted in unprecedented levels of death, destruction, and displacement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Despite this, Israeli officials predict that the fighting will persist for several more months. The situation has sparked division among ordinary Israelis and their leaders, while also posing the risk of triggering a broader war involving Iran-backed groups in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.
The United States, which has provided crucial diplomatic and military support for the offensive, has had limited success in persuading Israel to adopt military tactics that would pose less risk to civilians. Additionally, the US has pushed for the facilitation of more humanitarian aid delivery. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected international calls for postwar plans that could lead to a path to Palestinian statehood.
The war began on October 7 when Hamas initiated a surprise attack in southern Israel, resulting in the death of around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the abduction of approximately 250 hostages who were taken back to Gaza. In response, Israel launched a prolonged air campaign followed by a ground invasion into northern Gaza, causing widespread destruction in entire neighborhoods. The current focus of ground operations is the southern city of Khan Younis and the built-up refugee camps in central Gaza, which date back to the 1948 war surrounding Israel’s establishment.
Airstrikes continue to target various areas in Gaza, despite Israel urging civilians in the south to seek refuge elsewhere. However, many Palestinians have chosen to stay, feeling unsafe regardless of their location. As of Sunday, the Health Ministry reported that 25,105 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the start of the war, with an additional 62,681 wounded. These figures likely underestimate the true toll, as many casualties remain buried under rubble or in areas inaccessible to medics. Women and minors comprise a significant portion of the casualties. While the Health Ministry is run by Hamas, its casualty figures have been consistent with those reported by U.N. agencies and the Israeli military in previous conflicts.
The Israeli military claims to have killed around 9,000 militants but has not provided evidence to support this figure. They attribute the high civilian death toll to Hamas positioning its fighters and infrastructure in densely populated areas. In contrast, 195 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the start of the offensive. The war has resulted in the displacement of around 85% of Gaza’s residents, with many seeking refuge in U.N.-run shelters and tent camps. However, their dire situation persists as humanitarian aid struggles to reach them due to the ongoing fighting and Israeli restrictions.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has vowed to continue the offensive until Israel achieves “complete victory” over Hamas and secures the release of all remaining hostages. However, some top Israeli officials now recognize the potential incompatibility of these goals. The hostages are believed to be held underground in tunnels by Hamas as shields for their leaders. One member of Israel’s War Cabinet, former army chief Gadi Eisenkot, has suggested that a cease-fire is the only way to free the remaining hostages, dismissing claims to the contrary as mere illusions.
Hamas has insisted that it will not release more hostages until Israel ends its offensive and has also hinted that any further releases would be contingent on securing freedom for Palestinians imprisoned in Israel. Israel’s government has rejected this for now, but it faces mounting pressure from hostage families desperate for action and from Israelis frustrated with the security failures preceding the October 7 attack and Netanyahu’s handling of the war. The calls for new elections have grown louder, with thousands of people rallying in Tel Aviv over the weekend.
Amidst these divisions, Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners are pushing for an escalation of the offensive, even proposing the voluntary emigration of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from Gaza and the reestablishment of Jewish settlements in the territory. However, Israel withdrew soldiers and settlers from Gaza in 2005, two years prior to Hamas seizing power from rival Palestinian forces.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to escalate, leaving a devastating impact on both sides. The death toll continues to rise, and the situation remains highly volatile with no clear resolution in sight.