The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251 others. The militants are still holding 58 captives, around a third believed to be alive, after most of the rest were returned in ceasefire agreements or other deals.

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed at least 103 people, including many women and children, while the main hospital in northern Gaza was forced to shut down.