2024: A look back at a year of war and upheaval in the Middle East

David GORMEZANO

29 December 2024 at 7:52 am·1-min read

The year 2024 was marked by an escalation of armed conflict across the Middle East. Alongside the relentless bombing of Gaza, Israel expanded operations into Lebanon to target Hamas ally Hezbollah, whose militants have fired hundreds of rockets into Israel. For the first time in two decades, Israel also exchanged fire with Iran while Syria witnessed the spectacular fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime at the hands of Turkish-backed rebels.

Israel continues its destruction of Gaza

Following the October 7 attacks by Hamas in 2023, Israel launched an air and ground offensive in Gaza that has continued to date, with the enclave remaining under siege.

More than 45,000 people have died in Gaza since the fighting began, according to estimates released by the Hamas-run health ministry.

The relentless bombing and total blockade of the enclave has turned the lives of its 2.1 million inhabitants into a living hell, leaving them with nowhere to hide and nowhere to go.

Hundreds of thousands of people were displaced and forced to flee their homes to seek shelter in schools, hospitals and refugee camps that were also not spared from Israeli air strikes.

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Israel continues its destruction of Gaza

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