Israel's Year-Long Gaza Campaign: A Statistical Overview

One year after the Hamas-led attacks on Israel, the Israeli military has released a comprehensive report detailing its operations in the Gaza Strip. The conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, has resulted in extensive military action and significant casualties on both sides.

According to the Israeli military, over the past year, they have conducted strikes on more than 40,000 targets in Gaza. This intensive campaign has also led to the discovery of 4,700 tunnel shafts, highlighting the extensive underground network used by militant groups in the region. The Gaza Strip, known for being one of the most densely populated areas globally, has been under a blockade by Israel and Egypt since 2007, when Hamas took control of the territory.

The military operations have taken a toll on Israeli forces as well. The report indicates that 726 Israeli soldiers have lost their lives since the conflict began, with 380 casualties occurring during the initial October 7 attacks and 346 in subsequent combat operations in Gaza. Additionally, 4,576 troops have been injured, and 56 soldiers have died in operational accidents.

In response to the crisis, Israel mobilized a significant number of reservists. The military enlisted 300,000 reserve troops, with 82% being men and 18% women. Nearly half of these reservists were between the ages of 20 and 29, demonstrating the broad impact of the conflict on Israeli society.

The report also sheds light on the scale of rocket attacks targeting Israel. Since the war's onset, 13,200 rockets were launched from Gaza, while 12,400 came from Lebanon. Smaller numbers of rockets were fired from Syria, Yemen, and Iran, illustrating the regional dimensions of the conflict. These attacks have been a recurring issue since the early 2000s, prompting Israel to develop the Iron Dome defense system to intercept incoming rockets.

Israel's military actions extended beyond Gaza. In Lebanon, where Israel and Hezbollah have a history of conflict, including the 2006 Lebanon War, the Israeli forces reportedly killed more than 800 "terrorists" and struck 4,900 targets from the air, along with about 6,000 ground targets. In the West Bank and Jordan Valley, over 5,000 suspects were arrested during the past year.

The Israeli military claims to have eliminated several high-ranking Hamas commanders, including eight brigade commanders, approximately 30 battalion commanders, and 165 company commanders. This targeted approach aims to disrupt the leadership structure of militant organizations operating in Gaza.

"The war in Gaza was triggered when Palestinian Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 as hostages, according to Israeli tallies. More than 100 hostages remain held by Hamas."

The October 7 attacks marked a significant escalation in the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has roots dating back to the early 20th century. The subsequent Israeli military response in Gaza has resulted in nearly 42,000 Palestinian casualties, according to Gaza's health ministry. This high death toll has led to international concern and calls for humanitarian intervention.

The ongoing conflict has had far-reaching implications, affecting regional stability and global diplomacy. International organizations have repeatedly expressed concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where the economy has been severely impacted by the blockade and recurring conflicts. The United Nations has passed numerous resolutions regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, yet a lasting resolution remains elusive.

As the conflict enters its second year, the international community continues to grapple with the complex issues surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian dispute, seeking ways to bring about a peaceful resolution to this protracted and deeply rooted conflict.