Now 100 days old, the latest Israel-Hamas war is by far the longest, bloodiest, and most destructive conflict between the bitter enemies.
The fighting erupted on Oct. 7 when Hamas carried out a deadly attack in southern Israel. Since then, Israel has relentlessly pounded the Gaza Strip with airstrikes and a ground offensive that have wrought unprecedented destruction, flattening entire neighborhoods. The offensive has displaced the vast majority of Palestinians in Gaza, shuttered operations in more than half of Gaza’s hospitals and caused widespread hunger, UN monitors say.
The Israeli military says it has now scaled back operations in the hard-hit north. But in the south, where it says Hamas’ leaders are hiding, it presses forward at full strength. Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia and Israel have engaged in cross-border skirmishes nearly every day since the war began.
Here’s a look in numbers at the toll of the Israel-Hamas war, sourced from Palestinian Health Ministry and Israeli officials as well as international observers and aid groups.
Number of Palestinians killed in the West Bank: 347
Civilian toll in Gaza is unknown, with women and minors making up an estimated two-thirds of those killed.
Number of Hamas fighters killed by Israel: Over 8,000
Number of Israeli soldiers killed in the Gaza ground offensive: 187
Number of Israeli soldiers killed on the northern front: 9
Number of Israeli soldiers killed by friendly fire or accidents in Gaza and the north: 29
Percentage of Gaza’s buildings likely damaged/destroyed: 45-56%
Hospitals in Gaza partially functioning: 15 out of 36
Palestinian civilians facing catastrophic hunger and starvation: 576,600 (26% of the population)
Percentage of school buildings in Gaza damaged: over 69%
Mosques damaged: 142
Churches damaged: 3
Number of Palestinians displaced in Gaza: 1.9 million (85% of Gaza’s population)
Number of Israelis displaced from northern and southern border communities: 249,263 (2.6% of the population)
Hostages who were killed or died in Hamas captivity: 33
Palestinian prisoners released during weeklong pause in fighting: 240
These numbers provide a glimpse into the devastating impact of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. With thousands of lives lost, countless buildings destroyed, and an overwhelming displacement of Palestinian civilians, the conflict continues to exact a heavy toll on both sides.
Despite the scale of destruction, the fighting shows no sign of abating. The Israeli military has scaled back operations in the north but remains firmly committed to targeting Hamas leaders hiding in the south. Cross-border skirmishes between Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia and Israel further exacerbate the volatile situation.
As the conflict rages on, the international community continues to express concern over the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. The high number of civilian casualties, damaged infrastructure, and widespread hunger and starvation highlight the urgent need for a resolution and the importance of international aid.
The Israel-Hamas war has reached a grim milestone of 100 days, making it the longest, bloodiest, and most destructive confrontation between these deeply entrenched adversaries. While the numbers presented here illustrate the profound suffering inflicted on both Palestinians and Israelis, they only scratch the surface of the human toll and devastation caused by this protracted conflict. Urgent efforts for peace and humanitarian assistance are crucial to alleviate the suffering and ensure a sustainable solution for the region.
