Fierce gun battle continues in Gaza as the war between Israel and Hamas in the Palestinian enclave reached 100 days on Sunday. The war stemmed from Palestinian group Hamas' surprise attacks on Israel on October 7 killing around 1,200 Israelis and escaping with over 200 hostages.  Following the Hamas attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed "mighty vengeance" against the Palestinian militant group while the Israeli forces reletlessly bombarded the coastal strip of Gaza killing over 24,000 Palestinians so far.


The fighting, which was temporarily paused for four in November, continued on Sunday as Israeli tanks and aircraft hit targets in southern and central Gaza. 


Communications and internet services also remained down for the third day on Sunday, making it difficult for the emergency and ambulance crews trying to help people in areas by fighting, reported Reuters. 


Here is a recap of the war since the October 7. 



  • Israel launched retaliatory airstrikes in Gaza with a total seige of the coastal encalve after the October 7 surprise attacks.  

  • As Netanyahu declared beginning of war, Israel told 1 million residents of north Gaza City to evacuate and move south and over the course of next week, pushed for the evacuation of the entire north.

  • On November 1, evacuations began from Gaza through Rafah crossing for an estimated 7,000 foreign passport-holders, dual nationals and their dependents, and people needing urgent medical treatment.

  • On November 21, Israel and Hamas announced their first truce, mediated by Qatar and the US. An agreement was reached to stop the fighting for four days to exchange women and children hostages held in Gaza for Palestinian women and teenagers detained or jailed by Israel on security grounds, and allow in more aid.

  • The ceasefire eventually extended for a week in total, resulting in freeing up of 15 hostages and about 240 Palestinian detainees. The ceasefire collapsed on December 1. 

  • Days after the ceasefire expired, Israel launched its first big ground assault , on the outskirts of the main southern city, Khan Younis.

  • The war prompted several visits by officials of the Biden administration to the Middle East including State Secretary Antony Blinken amid protests by rights groups and civilians in various countries calling for a ceasefire. 

  • On December 12, the United Nations demanded for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire as U.S. President Joe Biden warned Israel it was losing international support because of its "indiscriminate" bombing of civilians in its war against Hamas militants.

  • The 193-member U.N. General Assembly passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire with 153 countries voting in favour and 23 abstaining. 

  • In the latest update, South Africa dragged Israel to the International Court of Justice accusing Tel Aviv of genocide campaign against the Palestinian population. Israel denies the accusation.