Gaza Faces Devastation Three Years After Israeli Offensive

Gaza, October 5, 2026—Three years after the start of the Israeli offensive, Gaza faces severe destruction and a humanitarian crisis. Over 74,000 Palestinians have been killed, and around 175,000 injured, with extensive damage to residential buildings and critical infrastructure.

The conflict has left more than two million Palestinians in dire humanitarian conditions, with ongoing displacement, deteriorating basic services, and stalled recovery efforts. The war has affected every aspect of daily life, from housing and education to healthcare and livelihoods.

Approximately 82% of Gaza's buildings have been damaged, and the economy has suffered significant losses. The capacity to restore essential services has been hindered by Israeli restrictions on the import of materials and equipment needed for reconstruction.

Since the ceasefire agreement on October 10, 2025, the Palestinian Ministry of Health has recorded 1,460 additional deaths and 5,116 injuries. The ceasefire has not stopped the loss of Palestinian lives, with 836 bodies still being recovered.

Children have been disproportionately affected, with 21,500 children killed since the start of the conflict until July 2026, including over 520 infants born during the war. Women and children made up about 70% of the total fatalities in Gaza until March 2025, highlighting the severe impact on civilians, particularly the most vulnerable.

Gaza's healthcare system has been severely impacted, with most facilities damaged or destroyed. The educational system has also suffered, with many schools either damaged or used as shelters, disrupting the education of thousands of students.

Economic losses are extensive, with many businesses destroyed or unable to operate due to the damage and ongoing restrictions. The agricultural sector, a vital part of Gaza's economy, has been particularly hard hit, with farms and greenhouses destroyed.

International aid has been crucial but insufficient to address the scale of the crisis. The United Nations and other international organizations have called for increased support to help Gaza recover and rebuild.

CONTEXT: The conflict in Gaza has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis, with widespread destruction and a significant loss of life. The ongoing restrictions and the scale of the damage pose significant challenges to recovery efforts, highlighting the need for sustained international support.