Three years after the October 7 Hamas attack, Israeli strikes continue in Gaza as the Palestinian death toll passes 74,000 and peace efforts remain stalled.
Three years after the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel triggered the Gaza war, Israeli airstrikes continue to claim lives despite a ceasefire that was intended to end large-scale hostilities.
Israelis marked October 7, 2026, with memorial ceremonies for around 1,200 people killed in the 2023 attack. Hamas and other armed groups also abducted 251 people. According to the Israel Defense Forces, the last remaining hostage’s body was recovered in January 2026.
In Gaza, residents observed the anniversary amid widespread destruction, displacement and continuing military operations.
Gaza Death Toll Climbs Above 74,000
Gaza’s Health Ministry said the Palestinian death toll had risen above 74,000, with more than 175,000 people injured since the conflict began. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its overall figures. The United Nations cites its data while noting that figures not independently verified are attributed to their original source.
Nearly Gaza’s entire population has been displaced, while extensive damage to homes, hospitals, schools and essential infrastructure has left many families living in tents or temporary shelters.
Satellite imagery reviewed by the Associated Press shows that large parts of Rafah and other communities have been demolished. Reconstruction remains stalled amid restrictions on construction materials and unresolved disagreements over Israeli withdrawal and Hamas’s disarmament.
Ceasefire Fails to End Deadly Attacks
A ceasefire took effect in October 2025, reducing the scale of the fighting and facilitating hostage and prisoner exchanges. However, violations and Israeli strikes have continued.
The United Nations reported that the agreement largely quietened the fighting but acknowledged almost daily violations with serious consequences for civilians and humanitarian access. Israel says its operations target militants and respond to ceasefire breaches, while Hamas and Palestinian officials accuse Israel of repeatedly violating the agreement.
Major elements of the peace plan—including further Israeli troop withdrawals, Gaza’s future administration, reconstruction and the disarmament of Hamas—remain unresolved.
The anniversary has therefore highlighted two enduring realities: Israel continues to confront the trauma and political consequences of the October 7 attack, while Palestinians in Gaza face mounting casualties, mass displacement and uncertainty over whether meaningful reconstruction can begin.
About the Author
