Stories
Satellite Imagery Reveals Ongoing Demolitions in Gaza One Year After Ceasefire
- •Satellite imagery indicates that the Israeli military has continued to systematically demolish buildings and clear rubble in Gaza, including the city of Rafah, even one year after the ceasefire agreement.
- •Israel controls roughly 60% of the Gaza Strip, where troops have built at least 50 military outposts and continue to level neighborhoods to prevent use by Hamas militants and destroy tunnel networks.
- •The broader population of 2 million Palestinians remains largely displaced, living in tent cities, and unable to rebuild due to ongoing restrictions on construction materials entering the coastal territory.
- •Reconstruction plans outlined in the ceasefire have stalled as Israel and Hamas have failed to reach an agreement regarding the disarming of the militant group.
- •Daily military strikes continue to target perceived Hamas infrastructure, resulting in ongoing casualties, severe economic devastation, and widespread personal tragedy for families across Gaza.
Key Questions Answered
Large-scale reconstruction has failed to begin because Israel and Hamas have not reached an agreement regarding the disarmament of the militant group. Furthermore, Israel prevents most construction materials from entering Gaza, and ongoing daily strikes continue to target the territory.
The Israeli military currently controls approximately 60% of the Gaza territory, maintaining its hold with numerous military outposts established across the razed districts. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also issued directives to further increase territorial control to 70% of the strip.
A U.N.-appointed expert warned in a February report that the unprecedented scale of housing and infrastructure destruction in Gaza could constitute a crime against humanity or reach the level of genocide under international law. Israel has rejected these accusations, stating that its military operations target Hamas infrastructure interwoven with civilian zones.
