Gaza ceasefire marked by daily strikes and 1,400 dead after one year

What has happened in Gaza over the past year

One year after a US-brokered ceasefire was implemented in Gaza, Israeli military strikes have continued almost daily, leaving more than 1,400 Palestinians dead and medical infrastructure in near-total collapse.

The truce, which came into effect on 10 October last year, was intended to end the war triggered by the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage. Under the initial terms of the deal, thousands of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel were released in exchange for hostages returned from Gaza. However, conditions on the ground have diverged sharply from the original diplomatic agreement.

Casualties and ongoing military strikes

According to figures from Gaza’s health ministry, which are monitored and considered reliable by the United Nations, the overall Palestinian death toll since October 2023 has now surpassed 74,000.

Israeli authorities maintain that ongoing military operations inside Gaza exclusively target Hamas operatives, accusing the group of repeated violations of the ceasefire. Yet international observers and aid workers describe continuous bombardment across the enclave. A coalition of more than 100 humanitarian and human rights organisations warned this week that the ceasefire exists in name only, as civilians face ongoing casualties, displacement, and severe shortages.

Healthcare collapse and aid blockades

Gaza’s healthcare system remains in critical condition. Hospitals across the territory face chronic shortages of fuel, essential medicines, and basic surgical equipment. Medical staff continue to treat victims of fresh strikes while struggling to keep emergency departments and life-support equipment running on intermittent power.

While some aid groups note minor improvements in specific nutrition indicators, overall humanitarian access remains heavily restricted. Israel continues to prohibit foreign journalists from entering Gaza independently to report on conditions, leaving coverage reliant on local Palestinian journalists and international relief workers inside the enclave.

What comes next

Relief agencies and rights groups are demanding enforced compliance with the ceasefire terms, alongside unrestricted entry for medical personnel, fuel, and equipment. Without a complete halt to military strikes and open supply lines, medical personnel warn that the remaining health facilities will cease functioning entirely.