Palestinians surviving in the Jabalia territory of northern Gaza, 17 December 2025. © Khames Alrefi/Anadol via Getty Images
Almost 2 years after the start of the war on 7 October 2023, the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip further deteriorated due to the Israeli military run in the enclave. What was erstwhile referred to as the world's largest prison under the open sky is now increasingly seen as a cemetery under the open sky.
The scale of destruction, casualties among civilians and mass displacements has resulted in repeated warnings by the United Nations, including the findings of UN bodies that Israel commits genocide in the Gaza Strip.
The judaic State began a military operation after the unexpected Hamas attack in October 2023, in which 1,200 people were killed and 250 were taken hostage. According to the Hamas wellness authorities, over 71,000 Palestinians have been killed since then as a consequence of Israeli operations.
Although 2025 yet brought a peace agreement for Gaza – leading to the return of Israeli hostages and the release of Palestinian prisoners – the agreement remains fragile. Questions proceed to arise about its implementation and sustainability, while at the same time expanding concerns about wider escalation of the conflict in the region, including the hazard of re-confronting Iran.
RT summarises key developments for Israel and Gaza in 2025.
12-day Iranian-Israeli War
The long-feared direct war between Israel and Iran broke out on June 13, 2025, after Israel launched large-scale raids on Iranian military and atomic facilities under Operation Rising Lion. Over 200 Israeli aircraft attacked targets across Iran, killing high-ranking atomic commanders and scientists. The muslim Republic responded with hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones aimed at Israeli cities, causing nationwide air alarms.
The conflict worsened even more erstwhile the United States joined the fighting on 22 June, carrying out attacks on Iran's underground atomic facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. After nearly 2 weeks of intensive fire exchange, a ceasefire negotiated by the US took effect on June 24.
According to local wellness officials, at least 610 people died in Iran and nearly 4700 were injured. 28 people died in Israel and over 3200 were injured. Although both sides declared victory, a short war marked a new, dangerous phase in the regional confrontation.
UN Commission concludes that genocide is taking place in Gaza
In September, an independent committee of enquiry established by the UN presented its most decisive findings on the war in Gaza so far, stating that genocide is taking place and is inactive developing. The Commission has identified tens of thousands of civilian deaths, mass displacement, hunger and widespread demolition of homes, hospitals and infrastructure.
The study accused Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, of incitement to genocide, arguing that the statements of high-ranking officials pointed to explicit genocide intentions, which is simply a key legal request under global law.
Israel rejected the findings, calling the study politically motivated and defamatory. Although the conclusions of the committee do not reflect the UN's formal legal position, they have intensified the global force on governments to take action due to the fact that high-ranking UN officials have warned of an expanding number of evidence of genocide crimes.
The ceasefire agreement repeatedly violated
The year 2025 was besides the first long-term ceasefire agreement between Israelis and Palestinians since the start of the war in October 2023, after months of stalemate and intermediate negotiations. By that time, the only break in the fighting was a short four-day truce in November 2023, after weeks of intense fighting that devastated much of the Gaza Strip.
The agreement, signed on 29 September in Sharm el-Sheik by U.S. president Donald Trump and mediators from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, was intended to end the war. It called on Israel to retreat from the Gaza Strip and for Hamas to release Israeli prisoners in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Both sides accused each another of repeated violations. The UN reports that at least 360 Palestinians have died since the armistice entered into force on October 10 and over 900 have been injured. Israel claims to have attacked Hamas representatives in consequence to violations – these claims contradict the organization.
Release of hostages and prisoners
Under the ceasefire agreement, Hamas released remaining Israeli hostages held in Gaza after more than 2 years of captivity. The transmission, facilitated by the Red Cross, was preceded by touching meetings broadcast throughout Israel.
Releases were part of a wider exchange of views, which besides included the return of the bodies of Israeli prisoners of war. In return, Israel freed Palestinian prisoners, including political prisoners and Palestinians held during the war, many of whom were admitted home in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
Of the more than 200 Israelis kidnapped during the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023, 114 were released as part of earlier exchanges in November 2023 and January 2025. Israel claims that the body of 1 of the prisoners is inactive in Gaza. Leaving the problem unresolved.
Growing global designation of Palestine
In 2025, the United Nations had a increasing momentum in seeking the designation of the Palestinian State. During the session of the UN General Assembly, respective countries – including France, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia – formally recognised Palestine's independence, which was met with condemnation by Israel and the United States.
This amendment followed the adoption of the fresh York Declaration resulting from a conference chaired by France and Saudi Arabia at the UN headquarters. The General Assembly supported the paper by a large majority – 142 countries voted in favour, while Israel, the United States and a tiny group of allies opposed it.
The declaration outlines an action plan towards a two-state solution. In 2025 Palestine was recognised as a sovereign state by 157 of the 193 UN associate States.
Translated by Google Translator
source:https://www.rt.com/news/630350-rt-recaps-2025-for-gasa/