New data indicates that over half of the buildings in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed since Israel launched its military response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack. Detailed drone footage provides a grim view of the destruction, with the city of Khan Younis bearing the brunt of the impact.
The analysis, conducted by researchers at City University of New York and Oregon State University, used satellite data to reveal the extent of damage across the Gaza Strip. It found that between 50 percent and 61 percent of buildings — approximately 144,000 to 175,000 — are now severely damaged or destroyed. Khan Younis, in particular, has seen 38,000 of its buildings, or more than 46 percent of its infrastructure, damaged.
The destruction has caused significant displacement, with nearly 1.7 million people, over 80 percent of Gaza’s population, fleeing their homes. Almost half of these individuals have taken refuge in the far southern end of the Gaza Strip, as recommended by Israel. These areas show evidence of extensive damage to farmland, and with the destruction of historically busy commercial centers and universities, tent cities have emerged to house the homeless population.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) defends the extent of the destruction, stating it is targeting Hamas fighters and “terror infrastructure,” yet structures reportedly under IDF control, such as Israa University in northern Gaza, have endured significant damage. Furthermore, the damages extend to Gaza’s agricultural production sector, previously a primary food source for the region. The damage is such that aid agencies are now warning that half of Gaza’s inhabitants are facing the threat of starvation. Numerous historic landmarks, like the al-Omari Mosque from the 7th century, have also been severely damaged.
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