Scenes of widespread destruction across Gaza City on Wednesday (October 7), three years after Israel launched its offensive in response to the Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel.
The attacks, during which armed fighters killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages to Gaza, marked the deadliest day in Israel's history. Israel's subsequent bombardment and ground operations have killed more than 74,000 people in Gaza, health authorities there say.
The anniversary is also the first since an October 10, 2025, US-brokered ceasefire deal that halted major fighting but has failed to stop Israeli attacks in Gaza or secure the disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups.
The deal left Israel in control of some 53% of Gaza, since expanded by Israeli forces to nearly two-thirds. Hamas controls the remaining third, where the 2 million population mostly live in makeshift tents and bombed out buildings
