Recent Satellite Images Document Erasure of Entire Areas in Northern and Southern Gaza Strip

An update to "Google" maps revealed the scale of destruction left by the war that began in the Gaza Strip three years ago, as well as the severity of the humanitarian crisis suffered by the territory's population of more than two million people.

These images were captured in June of this year and show further damage to homes, commercial facilities, places of worship, and infrastructure since a fragile ceasefire came into effect approximately 12 months ago.

The images reveal massive damage to towns in the northern part of the Strip, such as Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun, where entire areas have been erased.

It has become clear that major neighborhoods in Gaza City, such as Jabalia and Shejaiya, which were targeted multiple times, have become uninhabitable.

The images also show vast expanses of tents stretching along wide sections of the coast, with most located just meters away from the sea water.

Gaza's main port, previously bustling with activity, appears severely damaged and devoid of fishing boats, surrounded by primitive temporary housing, while any available open space in Gaza City is crowded with shacks, tents, and simple shelters.

In "Google" images, vast areas of rubble can be seen in southern Gaza, where Israeli forces appear to have removed everything in a wide strip along the border with Egypt. The city of Rafah seems to have been almost entirely turned into debris, while the Tal al-Sultan neighborhood was leveled to the ground.

Israel intensified its attacks on Gaza in recent weeks, stating that Hamas is rearming itself and launching attacks in violation of the ceasefire reached in October last year.

Hamas denies attempting to launch any attacks or rebuild its arsenal, accusing Israel of undermining the Gaza agreement.

The ceasefire reached last year through American mediation stipulates the eventual reconstruction of the Strip.

However, little progress has been made, as negotiators failed to agree on the terms for disarming Hamas and withdrawing Israeli forces, while Israeli airstrikes continued.

Health officials in the Strip said that at least 1,400 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire took effect, while the Israeli army says four of its soldiers were killed during the same period.

Palestinian authorities say more than 74,000 people have been killed in the Israeli war on Gaza, which erupted following Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.