Two Years of Devastation: Israel's Military Operation Leaves Gaza in Ruins

Israel's Two-Year War in Gaza: A Devastating Toll on Palestinians GAZA CITY, GAZA STRIP - October 7, 2025 - The two-year conflict between Israel and Hamas has left a trail of destruction and devastation in its wake. Since the outbreak of violence on October 8, 2023, the Israeli military's operations have resulted in the deaths of at least 66,000 Palestinians, with an estimated 80 civilians among them, according to conservative estimates by the Hamas-run Health Ministry. The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas fighters and other terrorist militias breached Gaza's fortified border and launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing nearly 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages back to the small Palestinian territory. The Israeli government responded with a military campaign aimed at "destroying" Hamas and releasing the hostages. "We are facing an existential threat from Hamas, which has been using civilians as human shields," said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a statement at the time. "Our goal is clear: to destroy Hamas's capabilities and bring our hostages home." The conflict has had a catastrophic impact on Gaza's infrastructure and population. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), 90% of homes in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged, leaving 1.9 million people internally displaced out of a total population of 2.1 million. "This is not just a humanitarian crisis; it's a catastrophe," said UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland. "The international community must come together to address this situation and find a peaceful solution." The Israeli military's operations have been widely criticized by human rights groups, who accuse Israel of committing war crimes. The Gaza Health Ministry has reported that 169,000 Palestinians have been injured in the conflict. "The scale of destruction is unprecedented," said Dr. Ashraf Al-Qidra, spokesperson for the Gaza Health Ministry. "We are seeing entire families wiped out, and our hospitals are overwhelmed with casualties." The global community has been divided on how to address the crisis. The United States and European Union have called for a ceasefire, while some Arab countries have expressed support for Hamas's actions. As the conflict enters its third year, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. The IOM reports that 90% of Gazans rely on aid to survive, and the territory is facing a severe shortage of food, water, and medicine. The international community must come together to address this crisis and find a peaceful solution. As Wennesland noted, "This is not just a humanitarian crisis; it's a catastrophe that requires a collective response." Background: The conflict between Israel and Hamas has its roots in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which dates back to the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. The Gaza Strip has been under Israeli occupation since 1967, and Hamas has controlled the territory since 2006. Additional Perspectives: "This is a war crime of epic proportions," said Richard Falk, former UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. "The international community must hold Israel accountable for its actions," said Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, a Palestinian politician and human rights activist. Current Status: The conflict continues to escalate, with both sides trading accusations of war crimes. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with thousands of people displaced and in need of aid. As the international community struggles to find a solution, one thing is clear: the two-year war in Gaza has left a lasting impact on the region and its people. *Reporting by Dw.*