It has been officially over 100 days since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, 2023. Here’s a recap of the past 100 days.
How it started
On the morning of Saturday, October 7th 2023 in the West Bank of Gaza, a group of Hamas militants, armed with a bulldozer and some weapons, broke through an Israeli-built fence and gained access to the once highly restricted Beit Hanoun crossing. At 20 feet high and 40 miles long, the fence quickly went from having 1 breach point to 30. It was during this time that the group made their way to a near-by Israeli music festival, and began attacking and holding patrons hostage. Drones holding bombs were dropped on Israeli watch towers, rockets were fired, and by the end of the day Israel officially declared war on Hamas.
“Defense is our mission, security is our goal,” the Israeli Defense Forces said in a statement.
The effects of the war
Over 20,000 Palestinians have been killed the number of people killed in Israel, while the number of Palestinians killed in the West Bank is over 300, according to VOA News.
Other countries involvement have increased with the likes of South Africa, Ireland, and Turkey’s government authorities publicly demanding a permanent ceasefire be reached. Whereas countries like the United States, Britain, and Germany have maintained Israel’s right to defend itself while also continuing to supply funding to Israel.
Last week, the U.S. ordered drone strikes on Yemeise boats that were actively blocking Israeli ships access through the Red Sea. According to the Associated Press, “Houthi rebels fired a missile, striking a U.S.-owned ship… just off the coast of Yemen in the Gulf of Aden”.