In the north loop, after 48 days the area was nearly uninhabitable due to severe Israeli bombardments. Large sections of housing were either destroyed or severely damaged, leaving many neighborhoods unfit for living in several districts of the embattled Strip.
In the Northern Gaza Governorate, estimates show that between 18,300 and 23,500 buildings were affected. That translates to roughly 40% to 51% of the residential blocks in the area, based on damage assessments derived from radar imagery and analytic models. The Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellite, employed by researchers Corey Scher from CUNY and Jamon van den Hoek from Oregon State University, uses radar data and sophisticated interpretation methods to identify substantial damage to a large portion of homes in the north. Prior to the conflict, about 270,000 people resided in this region.
The blast effects extended beyond the north, touching four other regions within the Palestinian territories under siege, reshaping the pattern of destruction across the area.
Inside the Gaza Governorate, the destruction rate followed a similar trajectory with 40% to 50% of buildings damaged or rendered uninhabitable, amounting to between 24,600 and 31,300 structures. The governorate had been the most densely populated area before the war, housing well over half a million residents.
In Deir el-Balah, approximately 216,000 people lived there before the conflict. In this central area, between 4,400 and 6,300 buildings were damaged or destroyed, representing about 8% to 12% of the total infrastructure in that zone.
Within Jan Yunus, an estimated 6,400 to 9,500 buildings in a region with around 300,000 residents suffered severe impacts, corresponding to roughly 8% to 11% of the local stock. Rafah, lying on the border with Egypt, was less affected, with about 2,400 to 3,800 buildings damaged or destroyed, making up roughly 5% to 8% of the overall district housing.
Destruction data in Gaza
Satellite imagery aligned with figures presented in the latest United Nations assessments, confirming the scale of damage reported for the Gaza Strip. The most recent figures reflect the situation as of last Friday and align with data provided by the Gaza authorities under Hamas governance, corroborated by independent observers.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, about 60% of homes in Gaza have suffered some form of damage. In addition, hundreds of sites have faced direct or collateral damage, including training facilities, essential food production facilities, hospitals, health centers, places of worship, and critical water infrastructure. The numbers underscore the breadth of disruption across the territory and the strain on basic services.
Images captured by Palestinian journalists and shared across social media, along with aerial shots from other satellite platforms, corroborate the widespread devastation in Gaza, especially in the northern areas. The scale of destruction has left many neighborhoods uninhabitable, with significant implications for daily life and future reconstruction.
In the past, Gaza featured a skyline of high-rise buildings, bustling markets, shopping centers, hotels with pools, and small amusement venues. Today, very few of these structures remain intact. International observers have discussed possible approaches to address the crisis, particularly the humanitarian implications of displacement and the need to provide shelter and essential services to the affected population. The global community continues to debate acceptable humanitarian responses within the framework of international law and the rights of civilians.
The territorial authorities have faced intense pressure to secure safe passage for civilians and to establish durable relocation options. Despite assurances of evacuation directives, data indicates that large-scale displacement and continued bombardment in various zones hinder the creation of secure zones anywhere in Gaza. The human toll continues to mount, with many lives lost and families displaced as the conflict persists.
The death toll has reached a sobering figure, with at least 14,500 Palestinians reported dead, including around 6,000 children. On the other side, Israeli authorities have stated that operations are aimed at countering Hamas, which functions as a political movement, a party, and an armed faction, along with allied groups like the al-Qassan Brigades and Islamic Jihad, responsible for attacks that have killed Israelis. The ongoing hostilities have driven a deep human tragedy through the region, underscoring the urgent need for humanitarian access, protection of civilians, and pathways toward a sustainable resolution.