Twelve days in Gaza: what happened while the world looked away?

July 1, 2025

By Jason Burke. Graphics by Tural Ahmedzade and Finbarr Sheehy. Video by Saminda Sidhu

In the weeks leading up to Israel’s war with Iran, which it launched on 13 June, there had been little let-up in its offensive in Gaza. A tenuous ceasefire had broken down in March, and a wave of airstrikes followed, as well as an 11-week blockade on all aid. Though some humanitarian assistance was allowed in from late May, military action intensified at the same time

Relatives, including injured children, at a funeral in Gaza City on 24 June.

Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images