Three Years of Gaza War: Devastation, Displacement, and the Politics of a Fragile Ceasefire

Three years after the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attacks and the subsequent Israeli military campaign, the Gaza Strip remains in a state of catastrophic ruin despite an October 2025 ceasefire. Over 74,000 Palestinians have been killed, and approximately 82% of Gaza's buildings have been damaged or destroyed, generating up to 68 million tonnes of rubble. While the intensity of the conflict has decreased, over 1,400 Palestinians have died since the ceasefire took effect, and Israel has expanded its territorial control to nearly 70% of the enclave. Meanwhile, international diplomatic efforts, including US President Donald Trump's 'Board of Peace' and the UK's Burnham government, struggle to navigate the gridlock, leaving over two million displaced Gazans trapped in temporary shelters or forced into exile.

// Background

The war was triggered on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. In response, Israel launched a massive aerial and ground campaign. Although a ceasefire was brokered in October 2025, low-level hostilities, blockade restrictions, and territorial expansion have persisted, leaving the enclave's infrastructure, including water, sanitation, and healthcare, almost entirely non-functional.

// Key Developments

• Over 74,000 Palestinians have been killed and 175,000 injured since the conflict began in October 2023, with an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 bodies still buried under rubble.
• Satellite imagery reveals that approximately 82% of Gaza's buildings (over 200,000 structures) are damaged or destroyed, leaving 61 to 68 million tonnes of debris.
• Despite a ceasefire signed on October 10, 2025, over 1,400 Palestinians have been killed in ongoing military actions, and Israel has expanded its control to nearly 70% of the Gaza Strip.
• More than 100,000 Palestinians have fled into exile in countries like Egypt and Turkey, while 1.9 million remaining residents face severe shortages of shelter, clean water, and medical aid.
• Diplomatic efforts remain stalled; US President Donald Trump's 'Board of Peace' has aligned with Israeli demands on Hamas disarmament, while the UK's Burnham government faces criticism for avoiding the 'genocide' designation.