Over 90% of Gaza Strip Destroyed, Israeli Forces Control 80%

By the Editorial Team · Friday, July 3, 2026

Israeli forces now control about 80 percent of Gaza, where over 90 percent of the territory has been destroyed and more than 73,000 Palestinians, including over 21,500 children, have been killed since the conflict began on October 7, 2023. Despite a U.S.-led peace board and a UN-backed ceasefire plan, efforts to halt the fighting and deliver aid have largely failed, with Israeli military expansion and limited humanitarian access worsening the crisis.

More than 90 percent of the Gaza Strip has been destroyed amid ongoing conflict, with Israeli forces reportedly controlling approximately 80 percent of the territory, according to Gaza’s Government Media Office. The figures come as the region marks 1,000 days since the outbreak of hostilities on October 7, 2023.

The Government Media Office provided a detailed tally of the casualties and damage sustained during the conflict. It stated that at least 73,066 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, including over 21,500 children, among them 1,022 infants. Additionally, 9,500 individuals remain missing, many presumed to be trapped beneath rubble. The statement also noted that the total number of wounded stands at 173,514.

The severity of the military campaign is underlined by the volume of explosives reportedly dropped by Israel on Gaza, estimated at approximately 223,000 tonnes. This amount is described as being sixteen times greater than the explosives used by the United States during the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

Efforts to establish a ceasefire and initiate reconstruction have faced significant challenges. The ceasefire framework, designed to halt the conflict, continues to falter six months after the formation of the Board of Peace, a body created by the United States in January. This board was intended to oversee the ceasefire and manage Gaza’s rehabilitation through a three-phase plan endorsed by the United Nations Security Council.

Analysts have reported that the Board of Peace has struggled to secure Israeli compliance with the agreement. Contrary to the plan’s provisions for a gradual Israeli withdrawal, Israeli forces have expanded their control over Gaza. Furthermore, only about one-third of the aid trucks that Israel committed to allowing into the enclave daily have been permitted entry, exacerbating humanitarian concerns.

The situation remains volatile, with the widespread destruction and heavy casualties underscoring the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. International efforts to mediate the conflict and facilitate reconstruction continue amid reports of limited progress on the ground.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.