Fact Check: "The Israeli military has conducted operations in Gaza for nearly 21 months."
What We Know
The claim that the Israeli military has conducted operations in Gaza for nearly 21 months is inaccurate. The current conflict in Gaza, which escalated significantly following a major attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, has been ongoing for approximately 15 months as of January 2025. This escalation led to a series of Israeli military operations, including a ground invasion that began on October 27, 2023, aimed at dismantling Hamas's military capabilities (Gaza war, Gaza Strip in maps: How 15 months of war have drastically ...).
Reports indicate that the fighting has had a devastating impact on Gaza, with significant casualties and destruction of infrastructure. The United Nations has noted that the conflict has resulted in extensive damage to buildings and a humanitarian crisis, but it does not support the claim of a 21-month duration (Gaza Strip in maps: How 15 months of war have drastically ...).
Analysis
The assertion of nearly 21 months of military operations in Gaza appears to stem from a misunderstanding or misrepresentation of the timeline of events. The conflict's significant escalation began in October 2023, and while there have been military actions in the region prior to this date, they do not constitute a continuous operation lasting 21 months.
The Israeli military's operations in Gaza have historically been episodic, with periods of intense conflict followed by ceasefires. The current phase of conflict, which has lasted about 15 months, is characterized by a series of military engagements rather than a continuous operation. This is corroborated by multiple sources, including reports from the United Nations and analyses of the conflict timeline (Gaza war, Gaza Strip in maps: How 15 months of war have drastically ...).
The reliability of the sources used in this analysis is high, as they include reputable news organizations and official reports from humanitarian agencies. The timeline of events is well-documented and supported by multiple independent analyses, making the claim of 21 months of operations in Gaza misleading.
Conclusion
Verdict: False. The claim that the Israeli military has conducted operations in Gaza for nearly 21 months is incorrect. The current conflict has been ongoing for approximately 15 months since the escalation began in October 2023. Previous military actions do not constitute a continuous operation, and the assertion lacks support from credible sources.
