Gaza War Enters Third Year with Over 67,000 Palestinian Deaths

The conflict in Gaza has reached its third year today, marking Israel’s longest war since its 1948 founding, and has resulted in a staggering loss of life and widespread devastation, raising concerns about the long-term viability of the region.

As of today, October 7, 2025, at least 67,074 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza due to Israeli military operations, with the majority being civilians. More than 168,716 have been injured, many with combat-level wounds, according to recent medical studies. The casualties represent roughly 10% of Gaza’s pre-war population of 2.3 million. Israeli officials have previously questioned the figures provided by Gaza authorities, but former Israeli army commander Herzi Halevi stated in September that over 200,000 Palestinians had been killed or injured. Thousands remain missing, presumed dead in the rubble or held in detention.

The war, triggered by a Hamas raid into Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed approximately 1,200 people and led to the capture of 251 hostages, has displaced approximately 2.1 million Palestinians – 95% of the population. Around 78% of Gaza’s buildings have been damaged or destroyed, generating 61 million tonnes of debris. A UN report released this week indicated that only 1.5% of Gaza’s cropland remains accessible and suitable for cultivation, exacerbating existing food security concerns. The destruction of infrastructure, including schools – with 745,000 students out of formal education – and hospitals, has created a humanitarian crisis of immense scale.

Accusations of genocide have been leveled against Israel, which denies the claims. However, independent UN experts concluded in September that the death toll and destruction in Gaza meet the criteria for genocide. Israel imposed a total blockade of supplies to Gaza from March to May 2025, citing concerns that Hamas was diverting aid for military purposes, leading to a declared famine in parts of the territory in August. The ongoing conflict has also resulted in 654 attacks on healthcare facilities and the deaths of over 1,700 health workers, severely crippling Gaza’s already fragile healthcare system, as detailed in reports from the World Health Organization.

Israeli officials have stated they will continue military operations until Hamas is dismantled and the hostages are returned, while international efforts to negotiate a ceasefire remain ongoing.