These malicious attacks spurred a massive Israeli offensive in Gaza. In the two years since that initial attack, chaos has continued to unfold in the Gaza Strip, with more than 60,000 Palestinians killed and nearly 2,000 Israelis killed. Hamas leaders have described the initial deadly surprise attack as a response to decades of Israeli oppression, which includes the killing of Palestinians and blockade of the Gaza Strip.
The latest reports have Hamas still holding 48 hostages, 20 of whom are believed to still be alive, and two who are U.S. citizens. Offers to return the remaining hostages to Israel, along with cease-fire talks, continue to stall out. Israel continues to demand that all hostages be returned, Hamas be disarmed, and full control of the Gaza Strip territory be returned to its control. And until those demands are met, the Israeli government claims the war will continue.
The people living in Gaza during this war have faced a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, with over 2.1 million people dealing with extreme hunger and starvation. In addition to those who have perished, over 150,000 people have been injured since October 2023. Food supplies have been severely impacted, and the medical system has been compromised amidst crippling air strikes and crumbling infrastructure. Field hospitals are overwhelmed, with repeated mass casualty events, and relief efforts struggling to be able to bring needed aid and supplies in.
President Trump recently announced a 20-point peace plan to end the war, with economic and humanitarian aid to rebuild Gaza and a path toward long-term peace and security in the Middle East.