The Israel-Hamas war, triggered by a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, has entered its 500th day. A tenuous ceasefire in the Gaza Strip is set to expire in early March, leaving uncertainty about whether it will be extended or if fighting will resume.
Numbers tell the scale of death and devastation: around 1,200 Palestinians killed in Israel, over 48,200 killed in Gaza, and more than half were women and children. Over 111,600 Palestinians have been wounded. In Israel, 846 soldiers have lost their lives since October 7, 2023.
Rockets fired from Gaza at Israel total over 10,000, while around 90% of Gaza’s population has been displaced. A ceasefire that started allowing Palestinians to cross into northern Gaza saw 586,000 people pass through since its inception. However, housing units damaged or destroyed in Gaza number over 245,000, and health facilities have suffered similar damage.
A critical point of the conflict is approaching as the current phase of the truce nears its end. With negotiations for a more lasting ceasefire or resumption of fighting uncertain, the situation remains precarious, with millions affected by the ongoing violence.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-500-days-numbers-c244fe24769dbfabcbcdfb10487ce106