Today marks two years since the largest terrorist attack ever on Israeli soil. This is the chronology of events since then, as the war continues in the Gaza Strip.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a series of surprise attacks against Israel, initially firing rockets before launching a ground operation that killed nearly 1,200 people and took 251 hostages into Gaza.
The militant group named the operation “Al-Aqsa Flood,” targeting military sites and the Nova music festival.
Israel vowed to destroy Hamas and began its own military offensive in Gaza just hours later.
Evacuation of Northern Gaza
Six days after the Hamas-led attack, on October 13, the Israeli army ordered the first evacuation of northern Gaza within 24 hours in preparation for a ground invasion.
According to the UN, over one million residents were forced to leave their homes and move south.
By that date, Israeli airstrikes had already killed more than 1,500 Palestinians, according to local authorities.
First Ceasefire
After seven weeks of war, the first seven-day ceasefire came into effect on November 24.
Following this, 81 hostages were released by Hamas in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
The temporary truce was mediated by Qatar, with support from Egypt and the United States.
Israel resumed bombing Gaza on December 1, accusing Hamas of refusing to release more hostages and rejecting the extension of the ceasefire. Hamas blamed Israel for “breaking the truce.”
International Court of Justice Ruling
On January 26, 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Israel to prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
South Africa had brought the case before the UN’s top court, accusing Israel of violating the Genocide Convention.
“This historic ruling notifies Israel and its allies that immediate action is needed to prevent genocide and further atrocities against Palestinians in Gaza,” stated Balkees Jarrah of Human Rights Watch.
Israel rejected the case as “completely unfounded and morally repugnant,” accusing South Africa of presenting “biased and false claims.”
Explosions in Lebanon
On September 17–18, 2024, hundreds of pagers and radios used by Hezbollah militants exploded simultaneously across Lebanon.
The Israeli-orchestrated attack killed at least 37 people and injured nearly 3,000.
Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas, began firing into Israel the day after the Gaza war started, claiming “solidarity with the Palestinians.”
This triggered almost daily cross-border clashes for a year, until a US-brokered ceasefire in November 2024.
“Elimination” of Hassan Nasrallah
Ten days later, on September 27, 2024, Israel killed Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah in a strike on the group’s headquarters in Beirut.
The fighting between Israel and Hezbollah left nearly 4,000 dead and over 16,000 injured in Lebanon.
Israeli strikes caused massive destruction in southern Lebanon and parts of Beirut, displacing over one million people.
Ceasefire Agreement
After 15 months of war, a ceasefire agreement negotiated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States was reached on January 15, 2025, and went into effect on January 19.
Following this, 33 hostages — including eight bodies — were exchanged for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
However, Israel unilaterally broke the truce two months later, resuming airstrikes on March 18.
Israeli Airstrikes on Iran
Between June 12 and 24, 2025, a 12-day conflict erupted between Israel and Iran.
Israel struck Iran’s nuclear facilities, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, air defenses, and residential areas.
Iran retaliated by launching barrages of rockets toward Israel.
After US forces joined the campaign, dropping “bunker buster” bombs on Iran’s nuclear sites, Tehran targeted a US airbase in Qatar — the largest in the Middle East.
Qatar confirmed it had intercepted all missiles, with no casualties reported.
US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire on June 24.
According to an NGO, the brief conflict killed over 1,000 people in Iran and 28 in Israel.
Declaration of Famine
On August 22, 2025, the world’s leading food security authority declared that Gaza City was in famine, warning it could spread across the territory without a ceasefire and an end to aid restrictions.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) stated that famine was already happening in Gaza City and could reach Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis by late September.
The IPC said famine was fueled by ongoing fighting, the aid blockade, mass displacement, and the collapse of food production.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied the reports, calling them “lies promoted by Hamas.”
Trump’s Peace Plan
On September 29, 2025, US President Donald Trump presented a 20-point peace plan aimed at ending the two-year war in Gaza.
The proposal includes the release of all hostages, the disarmament of Hamas, and the end of Israel’s military offensive.
Hamas has expressed support for ending the war, but disagrees with certain conditions. Negotiations are ongoing in Egypt.
As of today, the Israeli offensive in Gaza has killed over 66,000 people and injured 170,000 in two years, according to local health authorities — who do not distinguish between civilians and fighters.
Hamas still holds 48 hostages, 20 of whom Israel believes are alive.
