TIMELINE - One year on: Key developments in Israeli offensive against Gaza

By Nour Abuaisha

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) - On Oct. 7, 2024, the first anniversary of the ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza arrives, marking a year of devastating airstrikes and artillery bombardments that have turned the enclave into rubble.

UN officials have characterized Gaza as "uninhabitable," with nearly 41,600 fatalities and over 96,000injuries reported by the Ministry of Health as of Sept. 26.

Here's a timeline of major developments in the Gaza war over the past year:

Oct. 7, 2023

The Palestinian resistance Hamas movement launched a dual attack involving the firing of nearly 5,000 rockets and the infiltration of fighters into Israeli settlements and military sites near the Gaza Strip. This area, known as the Gaza envelope, includes three military sites and seven settlements. Mohammad Deif, the commander of Hamas's military wing, announced the initiation of "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood" in response to ongoing Israeli assaults in the West Bank and at Al-Aqsa Mosque, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and injuries to 5,431 others.

The Israeli military conducted initial airstrikes in an operation called "Iron Swords," with Prime Minister Netanyahu declaring that Israel was in a "state of war," coinciding with the tightening of the blockade imposed on the enclave since mid-2006, which included the closure of all borders and crossings.

Oct. 8, 2023

Lebanon-based Hezbollah group launched rockets toward northern Israel, prompting the Israeli military to retaliate with strikes in southern Lebanon. The exchanges of fire continue, with Hezbollah and Palestinian factions linking a cessation of hostilities to the conclusion of the war in Gaza.

Oct. 13, 2023

Israel issued evacuation orders for Gaza City and northern Gaza, affecting about 1.2 million Palestinians.

Oct. 17, 2023

An Israeli airstrike on the Al-Ahli Baptist hospital killed over 500 Palestinians, leading to international outrage.

Oct. 19, 2023

Yemen's Houthi group entered the fray, targeting ships that are Israeli-owned, flagged, operated, or heading to Israeli ports in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden with missiles and drones in solidarity with Gaza.

Oct. 21, 2023

The first humanitarian aid convoy entered Gaza after a 13-day blockade, delivering 20 trucks of medical and food supplies.

Oct. 27, 2023

The Israeli military initiated a ground operation in northern Gaza, extending its campaign into central and southern Gaza in the following weeks and months. This operation was justified by the Israeli government as necessary to secure the release of hostages and to "dismantle" Hamas's military capabilities.

Oct. 31, 2023

The Israeli military shelled a densely populated residential area in the Jabalia refugee camp of northern Gaza Strip, killing and injuring at least 400 Palestinians, the majority of whom were children.

Nov. 15, 2023

For ten days, the Israeli army besieged and stormed Al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza after a week of surrounding bombardments, claiming to be targeting tunnels that were later discredited. During this action, patients and newborns were killed, though official numbers of casualties were not released.

Nov. 17, 2023

The UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) warned of imminent famine in Gaza, with residents resorting to animal feed due to severe shortages.

Nov. 18, 2023

Israel targeted a school housing thousands of displaced Palestinians inJabalia refugee camp, killing 200 Palestinians, according to official Palestine TV.

Nov. 24, 2023

With the mediation of Qatar, Egypt, and the US, a temporary cease-fire was established for four days between Israel and Hamas, which was later extended for two additional days and then for one more day. During this period, there was a temporary halt in hostilities, allowing for prisoner exchanges and the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

Dec. 3, 2023

The Israeli army began a ground incursion north of Khan Younis, claiming the presence of a Hamas command center in the city. The military demanded the evacuation of several neighborhoods, which were then sheltering displaced people from Gaza and the northern region, having been designated as a "safe area" by the army. The operation continued until the military withdrew on April 7.

Dec. 29, 2023

South Africa filed a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing it of committing "genocide," where seven other countries later joined.

Jan. 3, 2024

Israel assassinated Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut, escalating tensions.

Jan. 26, 2024

The ICJ ordered Israel to take measures to prevent genocide against Palestinians and improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza.

Feb. 15, 2024

Israeli forces raided Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis for ten days, resulting in numerous civilian deaths and injuries.

Feb. 29, 2024

An Israeli strike killed 118 Palestinians gathered for aid in Gaza, with additional fatalities from similar subsequent attacks.

March 8, 2024

US President Biden announced the establishment of a temporary floating port near Gaza for humanitarian aid, though its operation faced criticism.

March 18, 2024

Israeli forces raided Al-Shifa Medical Complex again, uncovering mass graves amid reports of extensive destruction.

March 24, 2024

The UN Security Council called for a cease-fire during Ramadan, but Israel did not comply.

April 2, 2024

Israeli airstrikes killed seven employees of the humanitarian organization of World Central Kitchen (WCK) despite prior coordination with the military.

April 6, 2024

The Israeli military launched operations in Rafah, disregarding international warnings regarding civilian safety.

May 6, 2024

Israeli military announced the start of a military operation in Rafah, disregarding international warnings about the impact on the lives of displaced people in the city. The following day, Israeli forces took control of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, leading to the displacement of the majority of the city’s population.

May 26, 2024

Another Israeli airstrike has targeted a displacement camp in Rafah, killing 45 Palestinians, including women and children.

May 29, 2024

The Israeli military announced operational control over the Philadelphia Corridor along the border between Gaza and Egypt, with full military presence established by June 7.

May 31, 2024

US President Biden stated in a White House speech that Israel had proposed a three-phase plan, which included a complete cease-fire, withdrawal from all areas, prisoner exchanges, and reconstruction efforts. On July 2, Hamas agreed to the Biden-backed proposal, but Netanyahu later reversed his stance, adding new conditions.

June 8, 2024

Some 274 Palestinians were killed, including 64 children and 57 women, in an Israeli attack following heavy artillery and airstrikes on Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. This operation aimed to free four Israeli hostages and sparked widespread condemnation from Arab, regional, and international communities.

July 11, 2024

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's condition for the Israeli military to remain in the Philadelphia Corridor to prevent alleged arms smuggling to Hamas became a key point of contention in the ongoing crisis. This demand was one of four conditions for his acceptance of a cease-fire agreement and significantly hindered negotiations for a resolution, despite opposition from Egypt and the United States.

July 13, 2024

Israeli military conducted airstrikes on the tents of displaced Palestinians in al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis, killing 90 Palestinians and injuring 300 others. Israel claimed the strikes targeted Hamas commander Mohammad Deif and his deputy Rafaa Salama, a claim that Hamas denied.

July 31, 2024

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in an Israeli strike in the Iranian capital, Tehran.

Aug. 10, 2024

An Israeli airstrike killed over 100 worshippers during dawn prayers in Al-Tabeen school which was sheltering displaced people in Gaza.

Aug. 20, 2024

The Gaza-based civil defense agency reported that at least 1,760 bodies have disappeared due to the Israeli use of internationally banned weapons.

Aug. 28, 2024

Israeli military launched a major military operation in Jenin and Tulkarem in the northern West Bank, described as the largest in two decades. The operation lasted ten days in Jenin and 48 hours in Tulkarem.

Sept. 9, 2024

The academic year began in the West Bank, but Gaza students remained unable to attend classes for the second consecutive year.

Sept. 10, 2024

An Israeli airstrike targeted tents housing displaced Gazans in the al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis, killing 40 Palestinians and injuring 60 others, along with reports of numerous missing people.