Half a year into the war in Gaza, here’s a look at the conflict by the numbers

By JULIA FRANKEL
Associated Press

JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israel-Hamas war has stretched on for half a year and has become one of the most destructive, deadly, and intractable conflicts of the 21st century. Since Hamas’ shocking Oct. 7 cross-border attack, Israel has pummeled the Gaza Strip, displacing the vast majority of the population and causing many to flee to Gaza’s southernmost city, Rafah. Food is scarce, the U.N. says famine is approaching and few Palestinians have been able to leave the besieged territory. Meanwhile, Hamas still has nearly 100 hostages who were taken during the Oct. 7 raid, and cease-fire talks stretch on with no end in sight.