Israel is marking 700 days since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks that triggered the war against Hamas in Gaza. CBS News' Holly Williams reports.

Jerusalem

Israel and Iran have agreed a ceasefire after a twelve day conflict. Meanwhile, Israel strikes in Gaza continue with the humanitarian crisis deepening.

Middle East Conflict

The conflict between Israel and Hamas has reached its 700th day, originating from the October 7 attacks in which approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage. Protests are taking place in Israel, with demonstrators demanding an end to the war and the safe return of remaining hostages, of whom around 20 are believed to be alive.

According to the Hamas-run health ministry, over 64,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza since the conflict began, though some estimates suggest the toll may be higher due to ongoing violence and the collapse of medical infrastructure. International bodies, including a U.N.-backed panel and the International Association of Genocide Scholars, have expressed grave concerns about famine and alleged violations of international law, claims which Israel denies, maintaining its objective to eliminate Hamas and secure its borders.

Israel-Hamas war reaches 700 days

Well, today marks 700 days since the October 7th attacks by Hamas militants on Israel that triggered the ongoing war in Gaza. Around 1,200 people were killed, mostly civilians, and another 251 taken hostage during the attacks. In Tel Aviv's hostage square this morning, activists displayed this large SOS sign along with a sand timer, symbolizing that time is running out for the remaining hostages still being held in Gaza. According to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry, more than 64,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war. For more on this, I want to bring in CBS News senior foreign correspondent Holly Williams. Holly, thank you for joining us. How is today being marked in Israel? Good morning, Michael. Well, both today and tomorrow in Israel, there will be protests marking the 700 days since the October 7th attacks and since the hostages were taken. Now, the protesters will be calling for an end to the war and a return of the hostages. It's thought that 20 of the remaining hostages are still alive. And we understand that their friends and families are very concerned by Israel's latest incursion into Gaza City and fearful that it could imperil their loved ones. Israel says that its military now controls 40 percent of the city. Hamas said in a statement late Wednesday that it was open to returning the hostages it still holds in return for the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The office of the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, dismissed that as, quote, spin. Well, Holly, in the midst of all this, the war in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis continues. What's the situation there? Well, Michael, you know, I could just give you the latest death toll today, the latest airstrikes, because there is always a daily death toll. But 700 days into this war, I think it might be worth taking a moment to note the bigger picture. The total number of dead in the Gaza Strip is now over sixty four thousand, according to the Hamas run health ministry in Gaza. But with so many people buried beneath the rubble and Gaza's hospitals in crisis and sometimes under siege, some estimates of the total death toll actually run much higher than that. Last month, a U.N.-backed panel confirmed that there is famine in Gaza, saying that half a million people in northern Gaza are at risk of dying of starvation. The U.N. secretary general called that situation a, quote, man-made disaster. And also just last month, the International Association of Genocide Scholars said that Israel's conduct in Gaza meets the legal definition of genocide. Now, Israel has repeatedly rejected accusations that it's committing genocide in Gaza. It says its goals there include destroying Hamas and making sure Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel. Michael. All right, Holly Williams. Thank you.

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Israel-Hamas war reaches 700 days

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