Gazans have endured a staggering disruption as Israeli military operations expanded across air, land, and sea since the onset of the war on October 7, when Hamas launched a major assault on Israeli territory. The conflict has driven a heavy toll on civilians and reshaped daily life in the Gaza Strip and surrounding areas.
Reports indicate that at least 700 Gazans returned to the Strip from Israel through the Kerem Shalom crossing, located in the southern part of the region near Egypt. Many of these individuals had been held by Israeli authorities since the war began. In the same period, sirens in neighboring areas signaled rocket fire from Gaza, yet there were no reported fatalities at that moment. The Israeli Security Cabinet announced that Palestinian workers from Gaza would no longer be permitted to cross into Israel, and those who were in Israel on the day the war started would be returned to Gaza.
Exact figures on the total number of Gazans to be deported were not released by Israeli officials when approached for comment. However, data from the Co-ordination of Government Activities in the Territories indicates that approximately 18,500 Gazan Palestinians held work permits inside Israel prior to the conflict.
The war has caused widespread displacement. In the West Bank, thousands were detained as authorities conducted operations to determine any involvement in Hamas attacks. Humanitarian organizations describe the revocation of permits and the detention of Gazans as concerning and call it an action with serious humanitarian consequences.
As fighting intensified, the conflict has resulted in massive humanitarian needs. Israeli military actions have led to numerous deaths and injuries, with both sides reporting casualties in the hundreds or thousands depending on the day. In Gaza, the toll has grown rapidly with thousands of injuries and a significant number of fatalities. The devastation has affected hospitals, water supplies, electricity, and food availability, creating a precarious situation for civilians seeking safety and basic sustenance.
In the ongoing hostilities, Palestinian groups have continued to fire rockets toward Israeli territory, with many interceptions reported by Israeli air defense systems. The urban centers in Gaza have borne the brunt of the fighting, while the broader population faces continuing threats and uncertainty about the duration and outcome of the conflict.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has deepened, with tens of thousands of people displaced and over a million residents enduring severe shortages of essential services. Medical facilities have struggled to treat the injured amid limited supplies, and access to clean water, food, electricity, and fuel remains severely constrained in many areas. The impact extends beyond immediate casualties, affecting livelihoods, family stability, and long-term recovery prospects for the population.
Efforts to provide relief have been hampered by continued hostilities and blocking actions at border crossings, with Rafah as a critical, albeit irregular, point for humanitarian aid and evacuation when conditions allow. The international community has urged safe corridors for aid and the protection of civilians, while nations seek ways to support civilians caught in the conflict and to explore avenues for de-escalation and peace.