One year on – the attacks on Israel and the war on Gaza

It’s been one year since Hamas launched an attack on Israel, leaving 1,200 dead and 250 people taken hostage.

Since then, over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed, including over 15,000 children, 97 hostages are unaccounted for, 96% of people in Gaza face acute food insecurity, Over 1.9 million people have been forcibly displaced from their homes and 60 percent of residential buildings have been destroyed.

The war has escalated beyond Gaza and the West Bank, with Israeli incursions into Lebanon, Yemen and Syria, causing 346,000 displacements in Lebanon and thousands killed in the conflict. In response, Iran has launched over 200 rockets at Israel.

The scale of devastation from the war has left humanitarian assistance difficult to provide to Gaza. At least 280 humanitarians, 128 journalists and 500 healthcare professionals have been killed, and infrastructure is in tatters, with only 12 hospitals left functioning as of June and 80% of the buildings in Gaza destroyed.

At least 94,000 people have been injured in Gaza and a further 5,500 in the West Bank. More than 4,000 young people have lost limbs, and there now over 17,000 unprotected minors in Gaza. 1.9 million people have been displaced.

The UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs has described the crisis in Gaza as the “worst humanitarian crisis I have seen in 50 years”.

Despite increasing pressure from allies and UN resolutions deeming the occupation of Gaza and the West Bank illegal and to contravene humanitarian law, a peace deal has not been forthcoming. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has remained defiant to pressure, telling the UN Assembly last month that, if Hamas does not demilitarise and release all hostages, “we will fight until we achieve total victory.”

The role of the UK in the conflict

Since the conflict began, the UK has a new prime minister and government, but the stance on the conflict has changed very little.

Kier Starmer, in an address last week amid mounting tensions in the region, said that the UK stand with Israel, condemning Iran’s retaliatory strikes, but called for a ceasefire, and warned against escalation.

Foreign secretary David Lammy in September suspended some arms sales to Israel, though 320 such licenses remain, and has repeated the prime minister’s calls for a ceasefire and an end to the conflict.

Bond statement

Bond has released a statement reflecting the events on 7 October 2023 and its repercussions:  

“As we mark one year since the tragic events of 7 October, we express deep concern for all those affected by violence and displacement in the region. The horrific attacks and kidnappings carried out by Hamas and armed groups claimed over 1,200 Israeli lives, and more than 240 people were kidnapped with 97 hostages still unaccounted for a year later.

“In response, continued Israeli military attacks have claimed over 41,600 Palestinian lives, worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis that has gripped the region and disrupted the lives of millions.

“The conflict has displaced 1.9 million people in Gaza, while tens of thousands in northern Israel and Gaza’s periphery live as refugees. Over 346,000 internally displaced persons in “Lebanon are in urgent need of assistance. Gaza’s health services are overwhelmed, and increased regional tensions threaten peace and security, threatening the livelihoods of Palestinians, Israelis and Lebanese people.

“We condemn violence against civilians by all parties and urge all sides to show restraint. We call for strict adherence to international humanitarian law, an immediate ceasefire, urgent release of the hostages, and concrete steps toward lasting peace in the region. 

“As we reflect on the tragic loss of life on 7 October and over the past year in the region, the international community has a responsibility to advocate for peace, strengthen humanitarian access and civilian protection, and help to create a future in which every community living in the region will be safe.”