RAFAH, Gaza Strip — The landscape in Gaza has turned into a scene of overwhelming destruction as Palestinians grapple with the aftermath of more than 15 months of conflict following a recent ceasefire. The coastal enclave, a densely populated area filled with refugee camps and urban centers, has been captured in drone footage displaying endless piles of rubble — a testament to what has been described as the most extensive and lethal conflict in the history of hostilities between Israel and Hamas.
A resident of Rafah, 38-year-old Hussein Barakat, expressed the despair of the situation, stating, “As you can see, it became a ghost town. There is nothing.” He sat amidst the debris of his collapsed three-story home, sipping coffee in a strikingly surreal atmosphere.
Critics of Israel argue that it has conducted a brutal campaign to obliterate the very essence of life in Gaza, sparking accusations that are currently under scrutiny in two international courts, including claims of genocide. In response, Israel vehemently denies these allegations, asserting that its military operations are a response to a complex conflict in densely populated urban areas with a deliberate effort to limit harm to civilians and their infrastructure.
Military analysts emphasize the complexity of the situation. “Given the duration of this conflict in a heavily urbanized setting, where opponents are hidden, an unprecedented level of destruction is expected,” noted Matthew Savill, director of military sciences at the Royal United Services Institute in the UK. However, he remarked that drawing sweeping conclusions requires a thorough examination of each military action to see whether they complied with the laws of war, adding that the description of a scorched earth strategy may not be apt.
International human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, interpret the extensive damage as part of a systemic campaign against Palestinians in Gaza, a claim Israel disputes. These organizations challenge Israel’s narrative, asserting that the devastation was not merely a byproduct of military engagement.
A November report by Human Rights Watch claimed that the level of destruction “strongly suggests an intention to permanently displace many people.” Following a substantial air assault and a ground offensive that began in response to a Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, much of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure has been decimated, resulting in 90% of its population being displaced. The vibrant ambiance that once characterized the region has been overshadowed, with the landscape now largely monochromatic, consisting primarily of concrete gray, signifying a long recovery ahead that could span decades.
A U.N. satellite assessment revealed that over 60,000 structures were completely destroyed in Gaza, with more than 20,000 suffering severe damage by December 1, 2024. The volume of debris generated from the conflict, including demolished buildings and damaged roads, has been estimated to exceed 50 million tons. However, this assessment has yet to be confirmed with on-the-ground observations.
Airstrikes throughout the fighting targeted buildings believed to harbor militants, but the level of destruction surged with ground troops engaging in close proximity to combatants. For instance, if militants were observed shooting from a residential building, Israeli forces might opt to demolish the entire structure to eliminate the threat, leading to widespread collateral damage. The forces also utilized bulldozers to clear paths, demolishing buildings perceived as threats, in addition to destroying Hamas’ underground tunnels.
Experts point out that efforts to neutralize tunnel networks have had devastating consequences for the surface infrastructure. Michael Milshtein, a former intelligence officer for the Israeli army, noted that if a tunnel corporation located under a populated area is neutralized, the destruction of above-ground structures is inevitable. “There’s no other way to destroy a tunnel,” he explained.
Essential locations such as cemeteries, schools, and hospitals have also been demolished, with claims that Hamas utilized these sites for military purposes. Secondary explosions from Hamas’ explosives within these buildings could exacerbate the damage further.
According to observers like Savill, the repeated return of Israeli forces to areas they control, only to have members of Hamas retake them, has intensified the devastation. This pattern is particularly observable in northern Gaza’s Jabaliya camp, where a recent military campaign has resulted in extensive destruction. This camp is home to the descendants of many Palestinians who fled or were forced out during the 1948 war when Israel was formed. Milshtein argued that the Israeli efforts to dismantle the tunnel systems are also contributing to the demolition witnessed in that area.
Additionally, the establishment of buffer zones over a kilometer deep into Gaza, along with sections like the Netzarim corridor and the Philadelphi Corridor adjacent to Egypt, has led to further destruction of vast stretches of land. Amir Avivi, a retired Israeli general, articulated that these buffer zones were necessary for operational security, denying claims that civilian areas were indiscriminately cleared.
As reports emerge of escalating destruction alongside significant civilian casualties, accusations of potential war crimes against Israel have surfaced. The nature of military decisions regarding which targets to target is pivotal in this discourse. “Once militants occupy a building and engage in hostilities from within, it alters the decision-making calculus on whether or not to strike,” Savill stated, underlining the need for such actions to be justified as necessary.
In Jabaliya, local resident Nizar Hussein displayed resilience despite the devastation, covering the remains of his family home with a sheet and cautiously navigating the precarious rubble. “At the very least, we need years to get a house,” he lamented, capturing the profound emotional toll of the situation, adding, “It is a feeling that I cannot describe. Thank God (for everything).”
