section_path: History/2023–present: Gaza war
section_name: 2023–present: Gaza war
paragraph_text: 2023–present: Gaza war
  
  On 7 October 2023, the paramilitaries in Gaza, led by the Hamas's Al-Qassam Brigades, invaded southwest Israel, targeting Israeli communities and military bases, killing at least 1,300 people and taking at least 236 hostages. On 9 October 2023, Israel declared war on Hamas and imposed a "total blockade" of the Gaza Strip, with Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant declaring, "There will be no electricity, no food, no fuel, everything is closed. We are fighting human animals and we are acting accordingly." Gallant changed his position after pressure from US president Joe Biden, and a deal was made on 19 October for Israel and Egypt to allow aid into Gaza. Gaza is currently undergoing a severe humanitarian crisis. By 13 November 2023, one out of every 200 people in Gaza were killed, becoming one out of every 100 by January 2024.
  
  As of 29 October 2024, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, at least 43,000 Palestinians, including over 16,000 children, have been killed. More than 85% of Palestinians in Gaza, or around 1.9 million people, were internally displaced. As of January 2024, Israel's offensive has either damaged or destroyed 70–80% of all buildings in northern Gaza.
  
  After the outbreak of the Gaza war in 2023, there has been a renewed campaign to return Israeli settlers to Gush Katif, including Hanan Ben Ari singing "We return to Gush Katif" to Israeli troops.
  
  On 19 January 2025, a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect. It lasted until 18 March, when Israel launched a surprise attack.
  
  On 5 February 2025, in a joint press conference with Benjamin Netanyahu, US president Donald Trump asserted that the US would " take over the Gaza Strip, we'll own it. " The remark sparked discussions regarding US policy in the region. The following day, Trump said the proposed transfer of Gaza would happen after the conclusion of the war and the resettlement of population elsewhere.