Israel marks one year since Hamas attack, 215,000 homes destroyed

CNBC-TV18.com

Published Oct 07, 2024

By Vivek Dubey

As Israel observes the first anniversary of the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, national vigils, rallies, and a moment of silence honour the victims. The ongoing conflict has resulted in devastating casualties and widespread displacement.

Anniversary commemoration

Israel marked the first anniversary of Hamas’s October 7 attack with national vigils, rallies, and ceremonies, including a moment of silence led by President Isaac Herzog.

Israeli casualties

The October 7, 2023, attack claimed 1,205 lives in Israel, mostly civilians. Since then, over 720 Israeli soldiers have also been killed in the ongoing conflict.

Hostages

Hamas took 251 hostages into Gaza during the attack. Of these, 97 remain captive, with 66 believed to be alive, while 35, including 2 pre-October 7 captives, are presumed dead.

Rocket attacks

Hamas has fired more than 9,500 rockets into Israel since October 7, causing significant displacement and contributing to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza.

Palestinian casualties

Since the beginning of the war, over 41,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza. This includes both militants and civilians caught in the crossfire.

Palestinian displacement

The conflict has displaced around 1.9 million Palestinians, about 90% of Gaza's population. The humanitarian crisis has worsened due to ongoing hostilities.

Structural damage

Over 2.15 lakh housing units have been destroyed in Gaza, affecting 66% structures. Additionally, 92% of primary roads and 84% of health facilities have been damaged.

Economic loss

The first three months of the war caused an estimated $18.5 billion in damages, nearly matching the 2022 GDP of $19.17 billion for the West Bank and Gaza combined.

Water and sanitation crisis

67% of water and sanitation facilities in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed, with 60,000 cubic meters of untreated sewage flowing into the sea daily.

Israeli displacement

Over 58,000 Israelis were displaced at the height of the conflict. Currently, around 5,300 Israelis remain displaced, primarily from the south of the country.

Ongoing regional conflict

Israel continues its operations in Gaza and faces ongoing rocket attacks from Hezbollah in Lebanon. Rising tensions with Iran have also raised fears of broader regional conflict.