Israel Gaza, 2023-10-07 to 2025-11-15

By Xah Lee. Date: .

Major Events Related to Israel Since Oct 7, 2023

list the major events related to israel since oct 7, 2023

Major Events in the Israel-Hamas War Since October 7, 2023

Below is a chronological timeline of key events related to Israel, focusing on the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and associated escalations (e.g., with Hezbollah, Iran, and Houthis). This draws from multiple sources for balance, including Israeli (e.g., Haaretz perspectives via search), Palestinian (e.g., Gaza Health Ministry reports), and international outlets. Events emphasize military actions, diplomatic milestones, humanitarian crises, and legal developments. The war has resulted in over 1,200 Israeli deaths on October 7, 2023, and more than 69,000 Palestinian deaths as of November 2025 (per Gaza Health Ministry figures, which do not distinguish combatants from civilians).

  • October 7, 2023: Hamas launches a surprise attack on southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people (mostly civilians) and taking 251 hostages. Israel declares war and imposes a total siege on Gaza, cutting off electricity, water, fuel, and aid.
  • October 8, 2023: Hezbollah begins cross-border attacks from Lebanon in support of Hamas, firing rockets into northern Israel; Israel responds with artillery and airstrikes, escalating a parallel front.
  • October 13, 2023: Israel orders 1.1 million Palestinians in northern Gaza to evacuate south within 24 hours ahead of a ground invasion; the UN calls it "impossible."
  • October 17, 2023: Explosion at Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City kills hundreds; Hamas blames an Israeli airstrike, while Israel attributes it to a misfired Palestinian rocket, sparking global outrage and protests.
  • October 27, 2023: Israel launches a full-scale ground invasion of Gaza, targeting Hamas infrastructure; intense urban combat begins, with reports of widespread destruction.
  • November 15, 2023: Israeli forces raid Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, alleging it's a Hamas command center (denied by staff); all northern Gaza hospitals soon cease functioning due to fuel shortages and strikes.
  • November 24–December 1, 2023: First truce: Hamas releases 105 hostages (mostly women and children) in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners; aid increases temporarily, but fighting resumes after truce ends.
  • December 15, 2023: Three Israeli hostages are mistakenly killed by IDF troops in Gaza while waving a white flag, highlighting risks in chaotic combat zones.
  • January 11, 2024: ICJ begins hearings on South Africa's genocide case against Israel; court later orders Israel to prevent genocidal acts and ensure aid flow (Israel rejects the allegations).
  • January 22, 2024: Deadliest day for IDF with 21 soldiers killed in a Gaza booby-trap explosion; total IDF deaths reach over 250 by this point.
  • February 29, 2024: Over 100 Palestinians killed near aid trucks in Gaza City amid Israeli gunfire; one of the war's deadliest incidents for civilians.
  • April 1, 2024: Israeli strike kills seven World Central Kitchen aid workers in Gaza; Israel calls it a "grave mistake" and revises targeting rules.
  • April 13–14, 2024: Iran launches 300+ drones and missiles at Israel in retaliation for a Damascus consulate strike; most intercepted, with minimal damage.
  • May 6–26, 2024: Israel launches Rafah offensive despite ICJ warnings; over 1 million Palestinians shelter there. A May 26 strike kills 45 in a tent camp, prompting global condemnation.
  • June 8, 2024: IDF rescues four hostages in Nuseirat raid; operation kills 274 Palestinians per local reports.
  • July 13, 2024: Israel kills Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif in Khan Younis strike, along with ~90 others; Hamas vows revenge.
  • July 27–31, 2024: Hezbollah rocket kills 12 Druze children in Golan Heights; Israel assassinates Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, heightening regional tensions.
  • August 2024: First polio case in Gaza in 25 years confirmed; Israel allows limited vaccination under U.S. pressure amid aid blockade concerns.
  • September 17–18, 2024: Israel detonates booby-trapped pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah, killing ~40 and injuring thousands; seen as a major blow to the group.
  • September 27–28, 2024: Israel kills Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut airstrike; sparks fears of all-out war, with IDF ground incursions into Lebanon.
  • October 1, 2024: Iran fires ~200 ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for Nasrallah and Haniyeh killings; most intercepted, but one Palestinian dies from debris in West Bank.
  • October 16–18, 2024: Israel kills Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Rafah; Hamas confirms death and vows continued resistance.
  • November 21, 2024: ICC issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu, ex-Defense Minister Gallant, and Hamas' Deif for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
  • November 27, 2024: Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire takes effect; same day, Syrian rebels launch offensive toppling Assad regime (Israel seizes buffer zone in Golan).
  • January 15, 2025: First major Gaza ceasefire after 15 months: Phased deal includes hostage/prisoner releases; Hamas frees initial batch January 19.
  • March 1–18, 2025: Ceasefire expires without Phase 2 agreement; Israel halts aid, resumes heavy airstrikes killing hundreds; Palestinian deaths surpass 50,000.
  • April–May 2025: Renewed talks in Qatar; Israel announces plan to seize all of Gaza indefinitely. Strikes on hospitals and aid workers draw UN condemnation.
  • June 12–13, 2025: Israel strikes Iranian nuclear sites amid U.S.-Iran talks; Iran retaliates with missile barrage, drawing U.S. involvement and escalating to regional conflict.
  • July 2025: WHO declares "man-made mass starvation" in Gaza due to aid blockade; UK threatens recognition of Palestine unless conditions met.
  • September 2025: U.S. proposes 20-point peace plan; multiple countries (UK, France, etc.) recognize Palestinian state amid Gaza crisis.
  • October 7–8, 2025: Second anniversary of attack; Hamas accepts U.S. plan with conditions. Israel-Hamas agree to Phase 1 ceasefire, including full living hostage release.
  • October 10, 2025: Ceasefire takes effect; Israel withdraws from parts of Gaza, allows 600 aid trucks daily (later reduced).
  • October 13, 2025: All 20 remaining living Israeli hostages released by Hamas; Israel frees ~2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Bodies of deceased hostages exchanged; Gaza peace summit in Egypt.
  • Late October 2025: Minor violations occur (e.g., IDF strikes on Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon), but truce holds; aid increases, though shortages persist. Hamas internal clashes with clans kill dozens.
  • November 1–14, 2025: Ongoing exchanges of deceased bodies (Israeli hostages and Palestinian remains); isolated strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon kill several militants accused of ceasefire violations. Gaza death toll rises to ~69,182 amid rubble recovery; no major Gaza fighting reported, with negotiations on Phase 2 ongoing.

As of November 15, 2025, the October ceasefire appears to be holding in Gaza, with reduced violence (down ~48% per ACLED data), though northern Israel-Lebanon tensions persist and Phase 2 talks (on permanent end to hostilities) remain stalled. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with famine risks and over 90% of buildings damaged or destroyed.