On October 7, 2023, a conflict erupted between Israel and Hamas, the governing body in Gaza since 2006, marking a significant escalation in the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Hamas militants launched rockets into Israel and conducted incursions into southern Israeli cities and towns along the Gaza Strip border.
The violence resulted in the death of over 1,300 Israelis, injuries to 3,300 individuals, and the capture of hundreds as hostages. Swiftly responding to the situation, the Israeli cabinet officially declared war against Hamas on October 8, followed by a directive from the defense minister to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for a comprehensive siege of Gaza.
As of now, this war is ongoing, and the uncertainty surrounding its conclusion casts a shadow over the region. Nobody knows when it will finally conclude and the toll it will exact, particularly on the lives of innocent civilians. Throughout the conflict, the Hamas-run health ministry reported that approximately 70% of the casualties in Gaza were women and children.
In a previous official breakdown from Hamas’s Government Media Office on December 19, the reported death toll was 19,667, with more than 8,000 children and 6,200 women among the victims. The figures also included 310 medical personnel, 35 civil defense personnel, and 97 journalists, all classified as civilians.
The ongoing nature of the conflict adds to the distress, especially considering that nearly half of Gaza’s population is under 18, as per health ministry data released in 2022. The war has left over 52,000 people injured, with a reported count of 24,173 injuries on November 3. The uncertainty surrounding its conclusion and the ultimate human cost intensify the gravity of the situation, leaving a profound impact on the lives lost, particularly those of innocent children.
