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Israel-Palestine Conflict: Gaza War Death Toll Hits 45,000 — What's Happening and How It Could End

World · July 31, 2026 · Liam Chen · 7 min

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Israel's war in Gaza has killed 45,000 Palestinians and displaced 2 million — here's what's happening, why it started, and whether peace is possible.

On 7 October 2023, Hamas (the militant group that controls Gaza) launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing 1,200 Israelis (mostly civilians) and taking 240 hostages. It was the deadliest attack on Israel since 1948. Israel responded with a full-scale invasion of Gaza, aiming to destroy Hamas and rescue the hostages. Twenty-one months later, the war has killed 45,000 Palestinians (70% women and children), destroyed 70% of Gaza's buildings, and displaced 2 million people (90% of Gaza's population). Israel controls all of Gaza but faces a permanent insurgency from Hamas, which still has 10,000-15,000 fighters (down from 30,000 pre-war).

The war has no end in sight. Israel refuses to withdraw until Hamas is destroyed, but Hamas cannot be destroyed (it is an ideology, not just a military force). The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu (war crimes) and Hamas leaders (terrorism). The International Court of Justice ruled Israel's occupation of the West Bank is illegal and must end. The two-state solution (independent Palestinian state alongside Israel) is dead — Israel has 700,000 settlers in the West Bank, Netanyahu opposes Palestinian statehood, and Hamas rejects Israel's existence.

Here's what's happening in Gaza, why the war started, how many have died, and whether peace is possible.

What Happened on 7 October 2023?

Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel:

• 1,200 Israelis killed (mostly civilians: families, festival-goers, kibbutz residents)
• 240 hostages taken to Gaza (men, women, children, elderly)
• Rocket barrage: 5,000 rockets fired at Israeli cities
• Border breach: Hamas fighters broke through Gaza border fence, attacking Israeli towns and military bases

Why did Hamas attack?

Hamas said it was retaliation for:

1. Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories (West Bank, East Jerusalem)
2. Blockade of Gaza (since 2007, restricting movement of people and goods)
3. Israeli raids on Al-Aqsa Mosque (Jerusalem, Islam's third-holiest site)
4. Israeli settlements in the West Bank (700,000 settlers, illegal under international law)

Israel's response:

Israel declared war on Hamas and launched a full-scale invasion of Gaza (October 2023), aiming to:

1. Destroy Hamas (kill/capture leaders, destroy tunnels and weapons)
2. Rescue hostages (240 taken on 7 October)
3. Prevent future attacks (create buffer zone, occupy Gaza)

What's Happening in Gaza?

Death toll: 45,000 Palestinians, 1,800 Israelis

Palestinians killed: 45,000 (Gaza Health Ministry, July 2026)

• 70% women and children (31,500)
• 30% men (13,500)

Israelis killed: 1,800 (October 2023 - July 2026)

• 1,200 killed on 7 October 2023 (civilians)
• 600 soldiers killed in Gaza invasion (October 2023 - July 2026)

Total: 46,800 killed (both sides)

This is the deadliest Israel-Palestine conflict since 1948 (Nakba, when 15,000 Palestinians were killed during Israel's creation).

Destruction: 70% of buildings destroyed

70% of Gaza's buildings have been destroyed or damaged (UN estimate):

• Homes: 200,000 destroyed, 300,000 damaged
• Schools: 80% destroyed or damaged
• Hospitals: 60% destroyed or damaged (only 10 of 36 hospitals still functioning)
• Mosques: 300+ destroyed
• Infrastructure: Water, electricity, sewage systems destroyed

Cost of reconstruction: $50-100 billion (10-20 years)

Displacement: 2 million (90% of population)

2 million Palestinians (90% of Gaza's 2.2 million population) have been displaced:

• 1.5 million in UN shelters (schools, hospitals, tent camps)
• 500,000 staying with relatives or in damaged homes

Humanitarian crisis:

• Famine: 1 million people facing starvation (UN)
• Disease: Cholera, dysentery, hepatitis outbreaks (no clean water, sewage in streets)
• No healthcare: 60% of hospitals destroyed, no medicine, no surgery capacity

Israeli control: All of Gaza

Israel controls all of Gaza (October 2023 - present):

• Northern Gaza: Fully occupied by Israeli military (Gaza City, Jabalia, Beit Hanoun)
• Central Gaza: Partially occupied (Deir al-Balah, Nuseirat)
• Southern Gaza: Partially occupied (Khan Younis, Rafah)

Israel has not withdrawn from any part of Gaza and shows no intention of doing so.

Hamas: 10,000-15,000 fighters remaining

Hamas had 30,000 fighters before the war (October 2023). Israel has killed or captured 15,000-20,000 (Israeli estimate), leaving 10,000-15,000 fighters (July 2026).

Hamas capabilities:

• Tunnels: 500km of tunnels (underground network for moving fighters, weapons, hostages) — Israel has destroyed 50% but 250km remain
• Rockets: Hamas still fires 50-100 rockets per day at Israel (down from 5,000 on 7 October)
• Insurgency: Hamas fighters attack Israeli troops daily (ambushes, IEDs, sniper fire)

Conclusion: Hamas is weakened but not destroyed. It still has 10,000-15,000 fighters and can sustain a low-level insurgency for years.

Hostages: 100 still held (50 believed dead)

240 hostages were taken by Hamas on 7 October 2023:

• 100 released (November 2023 ceasefire, in exchange for 300 Palestinian prisoners)
• 40 rescued by Israeli military (raids on Gaza)
• 100 still held (July 2026) — 50 believed dead, 50 believed alive

Israel demands all hostages released before ending the war. Hamas demands Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and release of all Palestinian prisoners (5,000 in Israeli jails) in exchange for hostages.

Stalemate: Neither side will compromise, so hostages remain in Gaza.

Why Is This Happening?

The Israel-Palestine conflict is 100+ years old, rooted in competing claims to the same land:

The history (short version)

1. 1917: Britain promises Palestine to both Jews (Balfour Declaration) and Arabs (McMahon-Hussein Correspondence)

1. 1948: Israel declares independence, Arab states invade, Israel wins, 700,000 Palestinians flee (Nakba/"catastrophe")

1. 1967: Israel occupies West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem, Golan Heights (Six-Day War)

1. 1987-1993: First Intifada (Palestinian uprising), Oslo Accords (peace process, two-state solution)

1. 2000-2005: Second Intifada (3,000 Palestinians, 1,000 Israelis killed), Israel withdraws from Gaza (2005)

1. 2007: Hamas wins Gaza election, Israel blockades Gaza (restricts movement of people and goods)

1. 2008-2023: Four Gaza wars (2008, 2012, 2014, 2021) — Israel invades, kills 1,000-2,000 Palestinians, withdraws, repeat

1. 2023: Hamas attacks Israel (7 October), Israel invades Gaza (ongoing)

The core issues

1. Occupation: Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967 (57 years). Palestinians want independence, Israel wants security.

1. Settlements: 700,000 Israeli settlers live in the West Bank (illegal under international law). Palestinians want them removed, Israel refuses.

1. Refugees: 5 million Palestinian refugees (descendants of 700,000 who fled in 1948) demand "right of return" to Israel. Israel refuses (would end Jewish majority).

1. Jerusalem: Both sides claim Jerusalem as their capital. Israel controls all of Jerusalem, Palestinians want East Jerusalem as capital of future state.

1. Security: Israel demands security guarantees (no Palestinian military, Israeli control of borders). Palestinians demand sovereignty (independent state, control of borders).

Result: No agreement on any core issue. Peace talks have failed for 30 years.

International Response

International Criminal Court (ICC)

The ICC has issued arrest warrants for:

• Benjamin Netanyahu (Israeli Prime Minister) — war crimes (targeting civilians, collective punishment)
• Yoav Gallant (Israeli Defence Minister) — war crimes
• Hamas leaders — terrorism, hostage-taking

Effect: Netanyahu and Gallant cannot travel to ICC member states (123 countries, including UK, EU, Canada) without risk of arrest.

International Court of Justice (ICJ)

The ICJ ruled (July 2024) that:

• Israel's occupation of the West Bank is illegal and must end
• Israeli settlements are illegal and must be dismantled
• Israel must pay reparations to Palestinians

Effect: Non-binding (Israel ignores it), but increases international pressure.

UN Security Council

The UN Security Council has passed multiple resolutions calling for:

• Ceasefire (immediate end to fighting)
• Humanitarian aid (allow food, water, medicine into Gaza)
• Hostage release (Hamas must release all hostages)

Effect: None. Israel and Hamas ignore UN resolutions.

US support for Israel

The USA has provided $20 billion in military aid to Israel since October 2023:

• Weapons: Fighter jets, bombs, missiles, ammunition
• Diplomatic support: US vetoes UN Security Council resolutions criticising Israel
• Intelligence: US shares satellite imagery, intelligence with Israel

Why?

• Strategic ally: Israel is the USA's closest ally in the Middle East
• Domestic politics: US politicians (both parties) support Israel due to pro-Israel lobby (AIPAC) and evangelical Christian voters
• Shared values: USA and Israel are both democracies (though Israel's treatment of Palestinians is criticised)