AP News reported that news of Hamas’ attack from the Gaza Strip to Israel broke right after the attack on Oct. 7, 2023. More than 1,200 deaths were caused as a result of this attack, making it one of the deadliest days in Israel’s history.
The history of unrest between Palestine and Israel set the stage for the war. Hamas attacked Israel after over 70 years of ethnic cleansing and turmoil between Israel and Palestine. However, their attack sparked the fire that became the Israel-Hamas War. After Hamas’ attack, Israel sent a counter-strike in full force.
Oct. 7, 2024 marked one year of the Israel-Hamas War. A year later, devastation has swept the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Homes and livelihoods have been destroyed by Israeli bombs and the Palestinians who are still alive are facing inhumane conditions. Famine, displacement of families and other detriments to their health are growing more common as days progress.
As of Oct. 20, 2024, the death toll sits at just under 43,000 Palestinian casualties and just under 1,200 Israelis. Over the past year, roughly 1.9 million Palestinians have been displaced out of their 2.2 million population.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other allied nations have met to discuss calling a mandatory ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. A year later, there has not been an official ceasefire called.
In a statement earlier this year, the Biden Administration has proposed an effort for aid in Gaza. President Biden stated this proposal is “one that brings all the hostages home, ensures Israel’s security, creates a better ‘day after’ in Gaza without Hamas in power and sets the stage for a political settlement that provides a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”
Israeli forces killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar on Oct. 16, 2024. President Biden issued a statement referring to the death of Yahya Sinwar, “… a day of relief and reminiscence.” People hoped for a definite end to the Israel-Hamas War upon his death, but there have been no certain signs of a permanent ceasefire between the two states.
