Israel continues demolishing buildings in Gaza a year after ceasefire

The Israeli military has continued to demolish buildings in Gaza a year after the ceasefire was reached, as it solidifies its control over around 60% of the territory. Satellite imagery reveals that the city of Rafah, once home to a quarter million people, has been extensively destroyed, along with other towns and districts. Since the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal, demolition using bulldozers and explosives has been ongoing, with the Israeli military targeting structures to prevent their use by Hamas militants or to destroy their tunnel networks.

However, a UN-appointed expert warned that the scale of destruction of civilian housing and infrastructure in Gaza is unprecedented, potentially amounting to a crime against humanity or genocide. Despite the ceasefire, Israel has built 50 military outposts in the Israeli-held part of Gaza, many of which have replaced the demolished buildings.

The destruction of Gaza, home to 2 million Palestinians, has left the population squeezed into about 40% of the territory, with most living in tents or makeshift shelters. Israel's military continues to attack homes, cars, and buildings daily, claiming they target Hamas members, but often result in the deaths of women, children, and other civilians.

While aid and commercial products have helped Gaza recover from famine, most of the population remains dependent on international relief, with few job opportunities and thousands of bodies still buried under the rubble of demolished buildings.