Israel Gaza War Three Years On: How It Changed the World 2026

The Israel Gaza war, now three years on from October 7, 2023, has not just transformed the Middle East—it has changed the world. There was a world before that date, and a world after. For Gaza, for Israel, for the wider region, and for everyone else, the consequences are impossible to ignore.

The Before and After in Gaza

Satellite images released last week show entire towns reduced to rubble. Mosques and hospitals that stood three years ago have vanished. The once-empty shoreline is now crammed with tents. This is what it looks like when an attempt has been made to destroy a people. More than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed, including 21,000 children.

Israel's Transformed Sense of Security

For Israel, too, there has been a before and after. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had cultivated a sense of security, even impregnability. The ease with which Hamas carried out its attack, killing 1,200 Israelis, destroyed that belief forever.

Global Ramifications of the Israel Gaza War

The consequences have spread far wider. Under the pretext of fighting Hamas, Israel has expanded its military operations to Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. The conflict has drawn in Iran, disrupted global shipping in the Red Sea, and sparked protests worldwide.

Key Global Impacts

• Regional destabilization: Hezbollah, Houthis, and Iranian proxies have engaged in retaliatory strikes.
• Economic shockwaves: Oil prices spiked, shipping costs soared, and global supply chains were disrupted.
• Diplomatic realignments: The Abraham Accords stalled, while alliances like BRICS expanded.
• Humanitarian crisis: Gaza's infrastructure is decimated, with famine and disease rampant.

Comparing Pre-War and Post-War Realities

What Comes Next?

Three years on, a supposed ceasefire agreed a year ago has failed to hold. The world remains divided, and the ripple effects—from refugee crises to rising antisemitism and Islamophobia—continue to shape politics from Washington to Beijing.

FAQ