Fresh satellite imagery from Google Earth has laid bare the immense scale of destruction across the Gaza Strip, three years into Israel's military campaign. Vast areas, including religious buildings, farmland and housing, have been reduced to rubble, with damage visible from Gaza City south to Khan Younis and Rafah on the Egyptian border.
Among the worst-hit locations is Gaza City's port, which has been heavily damaged and its fishing fleet largely destroyed. The offensive was launched by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the Hamas-led October 7 attacks in 2023, in which 1,300 people were killed and hundreds abducted.
Mounting Casualties and Criticism
An estimated 74,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began, roughly 3.3 per cent of the territory's pre-war population of 2.2 million. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, which is run by Hamas, at least 175,098 Palestinians have been injured.
Criticism of Israel's conduct has grown over the years, with many politicians arguing Netanyahu went too far in prosecuting the war, and accusations of genocide have been levelled. A UN commission of inquiry accused Israel's military of deliberately targeting Palestinian children, constituting genocide and crimes against humanity. The June report also accused Israel of deliberately killing, maiming and causing mental harm to hundreds of thousands of Palestinian children.
Widespread Destruction and Displacement
A UN report found that around 82 per cent of buildings in the Gaza Strip have been damaged, including more than 328,000 housing units, forcing families to flee. The UN commission's report also found that at least 20,000 children had been killed, with some 44,000 more killed since October 7, 2023.
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been displaced, with many continuing to live in destroyed neighbourhoods. Both Hamas and Israel agreed to a ceasefire, though they have since accused one another of repeatedly violating the agreement.
