GENEVA: Satellite images analyzed by the United Nations Satellite Center show that 35 percent of the besieged Gaza Strip’s buildings have been destroyed or damaged in the Israel offensive in the Palestinian enclave.
The Israeli assault, which started on October 7th, has had catastrophic consequences for the people of Gaza. Health authorities in the territory report that nearly 32,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in the ongoing Israeli attacks.
According to the assessment conducted by the United Nations Satellite Center (UNOSAT), using high-resolution satellite imagery collected on February 29th, a significant portion of Gaza’s infrastructure has been ravaged by the conflict. The analysis compared images taken before and after the commencement of the offensive.
Of the total buildings in the Gaza Strip, which amounts to 88,868 structures, UNOSAT identified 31,198 as completely destroyed, 16,908 as severely damaged, and 40,762 as moderately damaged. This marks a substantial increase from the previous assessment conducted in January, which reported that 30% of all buildings had been affected.
The governorates of Khan Younis and Gaza have borne the brunt of the damage, with Khan Younis witnessing an additional 12,279 damaged structures and Gaza experiencing 2,010. Particularly hard-hit is Khan Younis City, where 6,663 structures have been newly destroyed.
The escalation of violence has resulted in profound humanitarian consequences, exacerbating an already dire situation for the people of Gaza.
