Israel is systematically destroying homes and infrastructure in Gaza. Three months after the period President Biden described as indiscriminate bombing began, the northern third of the Strip shows little left standing or habitable, according to observers on the ground and in satellite analysis.
In the Northern Gaza Governorate, damage assessments from radar imagery indicate that 70 to 80 percent of buildings have been destroyed or severely damaged. Analysis based on Copernicus Sentinel-1 data, conducted by researchers at City University of New York and Oregon State University, shows between 30,700 and 36,600 blocks damaged or destroyed. The study relies on radar signals and processing algorithms to quantify the extent of impact. Before the latest violence, roughly 270,000 people lived in this region.
Inside the City Government area in Gaza, which is the second most populated region in the north, the destruction falls within a similar 70 to 80 percent range. Between 42,700 and 49,900 buildings have become uninhabitable due to damage. This area was home to more than half a million residents before the conflict began.
In the central area of Deir el-Balah, with an estimated population of about 216,000, between 11,600 and 15,500 buildings were damaged or destroyed, representing roughly 23 to 31 percent of the total housing stock in the area.
In the Jan Yunus region, estimates show that between 26,600 and 34,800 buildings in a population of about 300,000 were severely affected, amounting to 32 to 42 percent. Rafah, near the Egyptian border, has experienced the least damage among the districts described, with 7,300 to 10,900 buildings affected, equating to about 15 to 22 percent of the total.
Beyond homes, factories and government facilities that formerly operated are also being hit. Recently, the Gaza Medical Faculty was reportedly destroyed. Evidence of damage in other facilities and institutions has been compiled through various sources to document the scale of the disruption.
Video footage circulated on social media shows the destruction accompanying the conflict. News accounts from observers and analysts note the rapid scale of the damage and the visible effects on daily life in the territory.
When a large outside power provides a nearly blank check, concerns about international law and global public opinion can fade. Critics argue that such a stance reduces accountability for wartime actions and erodes shared norms on civilian protection.
Israel asserts that its objective is to neutralize Hamas, the Islamist group responsible for a deadly attack on October 7. Yet the international community warns against using military force to achieve a fait accompli that could displace large populations or erase the prospect of a sustainable peace. Several governments and international bodies have urged restraint and emphasized the need to protect civilians during ongoing operations.
In discussions about policy and law, ministers and officials have faced scrutiny for their stated aims regarding population displacement. Some lawmakers have argued in public that relocations could be framed as improving living conditions, while critics contend that such measures amount to forced transfer or ethnic cleansing. International law is clear that forced displacement of protected persons within occupied territories is prohibited and should be avoided whenever possible.
South Africa recently sought interim measures from the International Court of Justice to protect Palestinians from violence in Gaza. Concurrently, legal scholars and advocates have called for independent investigations into suspected war crimes, including potential cases at the International Criminal Court.
Since the latest escalation began, the toll on civilians has risen, with thousands killed and tens of thousands seriously injured. The human consequence of the conflict is measured not only in buildings and infrastructure but also in the disruption of families, communities, and daily life across Gaza.
Fear of ethnic cleansing
Evidence from satellite data, as well as multiple videos and official statements from government members, suggests intent to alter the fabric of the region. Social media posts show soldiers speaking about territorial changes and the destruction of residential neighborhoods. In some clips, large-scale explosions and the resulting skyline changes are depicted alongside moments of levity, prompting serious questions about accountability and the protection of civilians.
Observers argue that when political leaders receive unconditioned support, the incentive to adhere to international humanitarian norms may diminish. The resulting narrative often portrays a disregard for civilian life, amplifying concerns about ethnic cleansing and long-term displacement.
From the outset of the Gaza operation, international bodies have cautioned against measures that would permanently remove populations or invalidate the right to return. The debate continues over how to balance security concerns with the obligation to protect civilian lives and uphold international law.
Alongside the immediate humanitarian crisis, experts highlight the broader consequences for regional stability and prospects for lasting peace. The ongoing conflict is shaping political calculations, legal interpretations, and the prospects for a durable resolution that respects the rights and safety of all people in the region.