Israel's war on Gaza began after the Hamas-led attack of 7 October 2023, which killed some 1,200 people in Israel and took 251 hostage (AP). A January 2025 truce collapsed when Israel resumed its assault in March 2025. A US-brokered ceasefire under Trump's 20-point plan took effect on 10 October 2025, and UN Security Council Resolution 2803 (November 2025) endorsed a Trump-chaired 'Board of Peace' and an International Stabilization Force. Israeli strikes went on after it took effect. By Netanyahu's own account, Israeli control grew from the 53% of Gaza behind the ceasefire's 'yellow line' to 60% by late May 2026, when he said he had directed the army to take 70%. In its 4 Sep 2026 report, UN OCHA called the humanitarian situation critical.
The ICJ ordered Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent genocidal acts in January 2024. Israel's final written pleading on the merits is due in May 2029.
The ICC issued arrest warrants in November 2024; the US sanctioned the judges, the prosecutor was removed, and on 9 October 2026 Washington sanctioned the court itself, promising to "dismantle the ICC, brick by brick". As of October 2026 Netanyahu had not been arrested.
The Security Council endorsed a ceasefire, a Board of Peace and a stabilization force. In the ceasefire's first year, 1,488 people were killed, more than 300 of them children, and the force barely deployed, while Israeli-held Gaza grew from 53% to 60%, with orders to reach 70%.
At the 81st General Assembly, Brazil, Qatar, Spain and South Africa called it genocide, Jordan called it impunity, Guterres called it ethnic cleansing in the making, and 77 delegations walked out rather than listen to the man an ICC warrant says should be arrested. He finished his 41 minutes, thanked Washington, and flew home. Of $18bn pledged to rebuild Gaza, $280m has actually arrived. Conflicts resolved by any of it: zero.