Israel destroyed more than 1,500 buildings in Gaza after Ceasefire

Recent satellite images analyzed by the BBC show that Israel has destroyed more than 1,500 buildings in areas of the Gaza Strip that have remained under its control since the ceasefire with Hamas began on October 10, in widespread demolitions that have sparked controversy over its adherence to the terms of the truce.

The images, the most recent of which were taken in November, show that entire neighborhoods, particularly in eastern Khan Younis and the Shuja'iyya neighborhood of Gaza City, have been razed to the ground in less than a month, even though some showed no prior damage. Experts said the operations could constitute a violation of the ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey.

The Israeli military confirmed to the network that it was acting "within the framework of the ceasefire," explaining that the destruction of "terrorist" infrastructure, including tunnels and manufacturing facilities, was part of its commitment to disarming Gaza. However, legal analysts argued that this interpretation "contradicts international law, which prohibits the destruction of civilian property during periods of truce."

Independent experts indicated that the continued demolitions "could jeopardize the 20-point US peace plan," as these actions are seen as an attempt to create new realities on the ground and delay the Israeli military's withdrawal from the areas it controls.

Local residents reported hearing the bulldozers demolishing their homes while sheltering in displacement camps, with many describing the scene as "a deliberate transformation of Gaza into a wasteland."

ANHA