The ruin of Gaza How two years of war devastated its land and people

The devastating war in Gaza has entered its third year, standing as Israel’s longest war since the 1948 conflict that led to the country’s creation.

- Jason Burke

The majority of those killed by Israel’s offensive in the strip have been civilians, and the overall total now exceeds 67,000. Entire families have been wiped out in a single strike. There are also nearly 170,000 injured. In all, casualties amount to roughly 10% of Gaza’s prewar population of 2.3 million.

There may well be many more dead uncounted in the rubble that now covers much of Gaza. Those killed by untreated illnesses, poor nutrition, suicide or other causes linked to the conflict are more numerous still. Thousands of people have simply disappeared - lost, incinerated or blown apart by explosions, or held in secret detention by Israel.

Israel has controlled and restricted supplies going into Gaza throughout the conflict but imposed a total blockade of supplies from March to May this year, saying Hamas was stealing assistance to pay for its military operations. Though restrictions were eventually eased amid international outrage, famine was declared in parts of Gaza in August.

The impact of Israel’s offensive on Gaza has led to accusations of genocide, which Israel has denied. In September, independent experts working for the UN high commissioner for human rights said the death toll and destruction in Gaza met its criteria for a genocide. This, too, was challenged by Israel.

The war, triggered by a Hamas raid into Israel on 7 October 2023 that killed approximately 1,200 people and took a further 251 as hostages, has devastated Gaza. Almost all Palestinians in the territory have been displaced, usually many times.

Entire cities have been reduced to dust and broken concrete. Witnesses of attacks, or victims of the violence around some food distribution sites, or medics in overwhelmed hospitals describe "post-apocalyptic landscapes" or "hell on earth".

Below is a summary of the cost of the war for Gaza and its people.