It has been a year since Israel began its genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza.
The Israeli assault on Gaza began on October 7, in response to an attack by armed fighters from the Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, and other Palestinian groups. Some 1,140 people died during the attack and around 240 were taken captive to Gaza.
In response, Israel launched a brutal bombing campaign and intensified the already crushing siege Gaza has suffered since 2007.
Over the past year, Israeli attacks have killed at least 41,615 Palestinians living in Gaza, or one in 55 people living there.
At least 16,756 children were killed, the highest number of children recorded in a single year of conflict in the past two decades. More than 17,000 children have lost one or both parents.
41,909 people killed
Despite global condemnation and calls from international organizations and rights groups, Israel has continued an indiscriminate campaign that has spread terror among Gaza’s population and killed entire families across generations.
At least 97,303 people are injured in Gaza, or one in 23 people.
According to the World Health Organization, nearly a quarter of those injured, or approximately 22,500, suffer life-altering injuries that do not meet rehabilitation needs. Serious limb injuries are the main factor in rehabilitation.
According to UNRWA, every day, 10 children lose one or both legs, with operations and amputations carried out with little or no anesthesia due to Israel’s continued siege.
97,303 injured
In addition to the dead and injured, more than 10,000 people are believed to be buried under the rubble.
With few tools to remove rubble and rescue those trapped under the concrete, volunteers and civil protection officers can only rely on their bare hands.
An estimated 75,000 tons of explosives have been dropped on Gaza and experts predict it will take years to clear the debris, which totals more than 42 million tons, which is also full of unexploded bombs.
10,000 people buried under rubble
Israel has attacked almost all hospitals and health facilities in Gaza.
Over the past year, at least 114 hospitals and clinics have been rendered inoperable, leaving many patients without access to essential medical services.
According to the Gaza Media Office, 34 hospitals and 80 health centers were knocked out of service, 162 health facilities were hit by Israeli forces and at least 131 ambulances were hit and damaged.
Several experts have argued that attacking hospitals – particularly those treating seriously ill patients and babies – could constitute a war crime as defined by international law.
114 hospitals and clinics rendered inoperable
Israeli attacks on hospitals and continued bombardment of Gaza have killed at least 986 medical workers, including 165 doctors, 260 nurses, 184 health assistants, 76 pharmacists and 300 managers and support staff.
Among frontline workers, at least 85 civil protection officers were killed.
520 bodies found in 7 mass graves
The Israeli army besieged several hospitals in Gaza, imprisoning hundreds of people.
In April 2024, 300 bodies of young men, women and children were discovered at the Nasser medical complex in Khan Younis.
The same month, another mass grave was discovered on the grounds of a school in Beit Lahiya.
In May, the Gaza media office announced that another mass grave had been discovered at al-Shifa hospital, with some bodies decapitated. According to Motasem Salah, director of the Gaza Emergency Operations Center, bodies were found on beds at the reception and emergency department, above the heads of the sick and injured, and buried alive.
1.7 million people infected with contagious diseases
Over the past year, three-quarters (75%) of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been infected with communicable diseases due to lack of sanitation, open sewers and a inadequate access to hygiene.
Israel’s refusal to provide medical supplies has endangered the lives of at least 350,000 patients with chronic illnesses who require urgent treatment.
At least 10,000 cancer patients can no longer receive necessary treatment while at least 15,000 people with injuries or chronic illnesses must travel outside Gaza for treatment.
96 percent face lack of food
Under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, intentionally starving a population constitutes a war crime when committed in the context of an international armed conflict.
An investigation by Tel Aviv Tribune’s Fault Lines found that Israel systematically withheld aid and water from the starving public. Stacy Gilbert, a former US State Department official, speaking to Tel Aviv Tribune, said it was widely known and documented by humanitarian agencies and the United States that Israel was blocking aid.
At least 2.15 million people, or 96 percent of Gaza’s population, face a severe lack of food. One in five Palestinians, or around 495,000 people, faces famine according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC).
700 water wells destroyed
According to Anera, a non-profit organization, as of March 2024, 95% of Gaza’s population had not had access to clean water for months.
Across the Gaza Strip, only 1.5 to 1.8 liters (51 to 61 ounces) of water per day is available for each person. The WHO recommended daily intake of drinking water is 100 liters (26 gallons) per person.
In September, OCHA said all three water connection points from Israel were partially functional and two of the three desalination plants were operating intermittently.
Desperate, Gaza residents were forced to drink unsafe salt water and bathe and wash their clothes in the sea.
The deadliest place to be a journalist
According to Reporters Without Borders, more than 130 journalists, almost all Palestinians, have been killed since October 7.
The Gaza media office counts 175 people killed, an average of four journalists killed each week since October 7.
Thousands detained in Israeli prisons
More than 10,000 Palestinians are held in Israeli prisons in serious conditions, including at least 250 children and 80 women.
Many are detained without charge. At least 3,332 Palestinians are administratively detained without charge or trial.
Most of Gaza destroyed
An estimated 75,000 tons of explosives have been dropped on Gaza and experts predict it will take years to clear the debris, which totals more than 42 million tons, which is also full of unexploded bombs.
The Gaza Media Office estimates the direct damage caused by Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip at $33 billion.
150,000 houses completely destroyed
According to OCHA, as of January, 60 percent of homes and 80 percent of all commercial facilities were damaged or destroyed.
The Gaza media office estimates that 150,000 homes were completely destroyed, along with more than 3,000 km of power grids.
123 schools and universities completely destroyed
With so many homes destroyed, hundreds of Gaza schools have been turned into shelters, leaving at least 625,000 Gaza children without an education.
Over the past year, Israel has completely destroyed 123 schools and universities and damaged at least 335 others.
At least 11,500 students and 750 teachers and educational staff were killed.
Attacks on cultural sites, mosques and churches
Over the past year, at least 206 archaeological and heritage sites have also been destroyed.
Israeli attacks completely destroyed at least 611 mosques and partially damaged 214 others.
On December 8, the Omari Grand Mosque in Gaza suffered significant damage during an Israeli air raid. Its 747-year-old library, which once housed rare manuscripts including ancient copies of the Quran, was left in ruins.
All three churches in Gaza were hit and damaged by Israeli attacks.
St. Porphyry Church, a 5th century church and one of the oldest places of worship in Gaza, was attacked on October 17, 2023 and again on July 30.
410 athletes, sports officials or coaches killed
Israeli forces destroyed at least 34 sports facilities, stadiums and gymnasiums.
As of August, at least 410 athletes, sports officials or coaches had been killed in the war, according to the Palestinian Football Federation.
Among them, 297 were footballers, including 84 children who dreamed of playing for Palestine.
