Demolitions in Gaza despite ceasefire | Bird's Eye View

Key Concepts:

• Ceasefire Agreement (October 10th)
• Israeli Military Operations in Gaza
• Ground Operations vs. Air Strikes
• "Yellow Line" (Temporary Withdrawal Area)
• Building Demolitions
• Escalation of Air Strikes
• Targeting of Schools and Medical Centers
• Preservation of Larger Structures
• Resettlement Plans

Ongoing Israeli Military Operations in Gaza Post-Ceasefire

Despite a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas on October 10th, the Israeli military has continued its operations in Gaza. While the number of air strikes has decreased, there has been a notable shift towards ground operations. An analysis conducted by Al Jazeera's digital investigation team, Sanad, has uncovered evidence of continuous destruction to buildings across the Gaza Strip.

Focus on Ground Operations and the "Yellow Line"

A significant portion of the demolitions has occurred within a designated area referred to as the "yellow line." This line was established as a temporary withdrawal zone for the Israeli military as part of the ceasefire agreement, as indicated on a map published by the Israeli military on October 19th. However, Sanad's on-the-ground findings reveal that the boundary of this zone is not consistently fixed. Between October 10th and October 30th, Israeli soldiers reportedly conducted 103 new demolition operations. While most of these were within the yellow line, some operations extended beyond its boundaries, particularly in the northern areas of Gaza.

Heavy Air Strikes and Eastern Khan Yunis

In addition to ground operations, Israel also carried out 35 heavy air strikes. These strikes were concentrated on the eastern edge of Khan Yunis, indicating a strategic focus on this particular area.

Case Study: Destruction in Eastern Rafah

An example of the destruction is evident in eastern Rafah. On October 14th, four days after the ceasefire was agreed, an area was documented. By October 30th, this same area had undergone significant destruction, with at least 71 buildings demolished. This pattern of demolition is not a new phenomenon but rather a continuation of the destruction that the Israeli military was already inflicting prior to the ceasefire.

Escalation of Air Strikes in Northern Gaza Pre-Ceasefire

Prior to the formalization of the ceasefire, Sanad mapped a concentrated escalation in heavy air strikes in northern Gaza. The team recorded a total of 124 such strikes between October 4th and October 10th.

Targeting of Infrastructure: Schools and Medical Centers

Sanad also observed a peculiar pattern in southern Gaza: many schools and medical centers remained standing while the surrounding buildings were destroyed. A video posted by journalist Ununice Tarawi on October 24th and verified by Sanad illustrates this. The video shows several buildings being demolished around a larger structure in Rafah. Sanad geolocated the video and confirmed that the larger structure is a girls' secondary school. Medical centers, such as the European Hospital near Khan Yunis, were also spared.

Potential Preservation of Larger Buildings for Resettlement

Adjacent to the European Hospital, an Israeli military outpost was observed, along with destroyed buildings, including agricultural greenhouses. A previous investigation utilizing bird's-eye view analysis suggested that the Israeli military might be preserving these larger buildings as part of a potential plan to resettle displaced Palestinians from other parts of Gaza to the south.

Conclusion: Continued Destruction and Diminished Hope for Reconstruction

The satellite data provides a stark depiction of the situation: Gaza's destruction did not cease with the ceasefire; it has merely evolved. This ongoing destruction significantly diminishes the hope for rebuilding Gaza, making it a more distant prospect than ever before.