War in Gaza

The surprise Hamas-led attack, in which more than 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 taken hostage, provoked an immediate and large-scale Israeli military response that has radically transformed the region.

There has not yet been a full tally of the humanitarian consequences of the conflict. The UN estimated in January 2026 that more than 70,000 Palestinians had been killed in the war. 

Israeli communities have been targeted by deadly rocket fire from Hamas and its allies, notably Hezbollah, prompting Israel to target Hezbollah militants repeatedly in southern Lebanon. Israel struck nuclear sites in Iran with US backing in June and targeted Hamas's top leadership with unprecedented strikes in Doha, Qatar, in September.

Israel and Hamas agreed to a US ceasefire plan in early October that included a deal to release all the remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for some 2,000 Palestinians held in Israeli jails. 

Follow our rolling coverage of the war in the Gaza Strip, including news, live blogs and analysis.