The IDF siege of Gaza City, the Strip's most populous city, trapped roughly 500,000 Palestinians and lasted until a ceasefire in January 2025.
Key Facts
- Siege start date
- 2 November 2023
- Siege end date
- 19 January 2025 (ceasefire)
- Palestinians trapped
- ~500,000 people
- Israeli & other captives trapped
- ~200 people
- Duration
- Approx. 14.5 months
- Outcome
- Hamas retained control of Gaza City
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Following the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel, Israel launched a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip. As part of that offensive, Israeli forces moved to encircle Gaza City, the most populated urban center in the territory, with fighting beginning on 30 October 2023.
On 2 November 2023, the IDF formally completed its encirclement of Gaza City, creating what Oxfam described as a 'siege within a siege' in northern Gaza. Approximately 500,000 Palestinian civilians, along with roughly 200 Israeli and other captives, were trapped inside the besieged city as intense urban combat continued for over a year.
The siege concluded on 19 January 2025 when a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas took effect. Despite prolonged military pressure, Hamas retained control of Gaza City, and the siege's humanitarian toll on the civilian population drew widespread international condemnation throughout its duration.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent