Analysis Reveals Devastating Impact of Gaza Conflict
NEW YORK – The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has resulted in significant damage to the region’s infrastructure and disrupted the lives of its residents. The BBC’s latest analysis has shed light on the devastation caused by the military retaliation undertaken by Israel following Hamas attacks on October 7.
The shelling, particularly concentrated in the southern and central regions of Gaza, has seen a dramatic increase since December. Khan Younis, a central city in the conflict, has been the hardest hit, with satellite images showing severe damage to residential areas, shopping streets, universities, and farmland.
These attacks have forced thousands of residents to seek refuge in tent cities established along the southern border. Among them are displaced children who now face a dire humanitarian crisis.
The analysis, conducted by Corey Scher of the City University of New York and Jamon Van Den Hoek of Oregon State University, compared satellite images to reveal the magnitude of the damages. Their findings suggest that between 144,000 and 175,000 buildings across Gaza have been damaged or destroyed, representing between 50% and 61% of all structures.
In Khan Younis, more than 38,000 buildings, over 46% of the city’s structures, have been affected, with over 1,500 buildings damaged in the last two weeks alone.
The conflict has not spared Gaza’s agricultural lands either. Large areas of previously cultivated land have been severely damaged, affecting food production and sparking fears of famine among half of Gaza’s population.
The conflict has also led to mass displacement, with Palestinians in northern and central Gaza being advised by Israel to move south for their safety. The emergence of tent cities, captured in satellite images and social media posts, has underscored the dire conditions in which displaced residents, including hundreds of minors, now find themselves.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has been further exacerbated by critical food shortages and a lack of adequate medical assistance, worsened by the prolonged blockade. Large segments of the population are suffering from food insecurity and do not have access to vital medical services.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has inflicted widespread destruction, displacing thousands of residents, severely damaging infrastructure, and exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis. The international community faces a pressing challenge to address the urgent needs of the people in Gaza and to work towards bringing an end to the conflict.