Key Facts
- Siege start date
- 2 November 2023
- Battle start date
- 30 October 2023
- Siege end date
- 19 January 2025
- Palestinians trapped
- ~500,000 in northern Gaza
- Israeli & other captives trapped
- ~200
- Duration
- Approximately 14 months
Strategic Narrative Overview
Combat in Gaza City began on 30 October 2023, and by 2 November the IDF had encircled the city, cutting it off from the south. Oxfam described the situation as a 'siege within a siege,' with approximately 500,000 Palestinians, along with around 200 Israeli and other captives, trapped in northern Gaza under severe humanitarian conditions. Fighting continued through multiple phases across the city and surrounding neighborhoods over more than a year.
01 / The Origins
Following the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attacks on Israel, the Israel Defense Forces launched a broad invasion of the Gaza Strip. Gaza City, the most populated city in Gaza, became a primary military objective. Israel sought to dismantle Hamas infrastructure in northern Gaza, while Hamas and other armed factions prepared to defend the urban terrain, setting the stage for a prolonged siege of the city.
03 / The Outcome
The siege concluded on 19 January 2025 when a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas took effect. Hamas retained control of Gaza City at the end of hostilities. The ceasefire halted active combat operations, though the longer-term political and humanitarian status of Gaza City and the broader Gaza Strip remained unresolved in the immediate aftermath.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.