Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Ansarollah Website - Palestine - Muharram 21, 1447 AH

The Hebrew newspaper Haaretz reported that, according to a mapping expert from the Hebrew University, 89% of Rafah buildings, 84% of northern Gaza buildings, and 78% of Gaza City buildings were completely or partially destroyed. Data indicates that approximately 2,000 buildings have been destroyed in Rafah every month since April.

"The residents of the Gaza Strip have nowhere to return to. The world they knew, their daily lives, are gone," says Adi Ben Nun, a lecturer in the Department of Geography and head of the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Unit at the Hebrew University. "The destruction has affected all levels—from homes to state institutions, workplaces, educational institutions, and agricultural lands—everything has been destroyed."

Recently, Ben Nun analyzed satellite images of the Gaza Strip using a computer algorithm to assess the extent of the destruction. He estimates that approximately 160,000 buildings—about 70% of the total in Gaza—were severely damaged (at least 25% destroyed), rendering them uninhabitable. However, he notes that the extent of the destruction may be higher, as satellites struggle to detect collateral damage to buildings unless the roof has collapsed.

He adds that the city of Rafah, which had a population of approximately 275,000 at the start of the war, suffered the greatest amount of damage—with approximately 89% of its buildings partially or completely destroyed. He estimates that since April, approximately 2,000 buildings have been destroyed monthly in the area. In recent weeks, the Israeli government unveiled its plan to build a "humanitarian city" on the ruins of Rafah, which is intended to accommodate the majority of the Gaza Strip's population.

In addition, Ben Nun notes that approximately 63% of buildings were destroyed in Khan Yunis Governorate, while in northern Gaza—which includes the towns of Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahia, and Jabalia refugee camp—84% of buildings were destroyed. In addition, 78% of buildings in Gaza City were damaged. He notes that the only area with less than 50% destruction is Deir al-Balah, where he estimates that approximately 43% of buildings were destroyed.