The campaign of destruction, which began in early August, has involved intensive bombing and the use of heavy machinery to demolish buildings, leaving behind rubble and despair. Analysis of satellite imagery by CNN (from August 9 to September 5) shows that a large proportion of the buildings have been destroyed by the army’s ground operations, and not just by aerial bombardment. So far, about 1 buildings have been leveled in the city and surrounding areas.
The Israeli offensive in Gaza continues at a high intensity, causing massive destruction and large displacement of the civilian population. One of the latest symbols of the destruction is the Burj al-Jafari, one of the iconic towers along the city’s coastline, which has completely collapsed after an Israeli airstrike. The tower, which was sheltering hundreds of civilians, was hit shortly after a warning from the Israeli military (IDF) to evacuate the surrounding area, including the Rimal neighborhood and the Gaza port.
According to the Israeli military, the intervention in this area is targeting Hamas targets and aims to eliminate “terrorist infrastructure.” However, the attacks have had serious consequences for civilians and residential buildings.
More than 50 apartment towers have been destroyed since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a new goal of taking over the city. The destruction campaign, which began in early August, involves intensive bombing and the use of heavy machinery to demolish buildings, leaving behind rubble and despair. Analysis of satellite images by CNN (from August 9 to September 5) shows that a large part of the buildings were destroyed by military ground operations, and not just by aerial bombardment. So far, about 1 buildings have been leveled in the city and surrounding areas.
The most affected neighborhoods include Zeitoun, Jabalia and parts of the center such as Rimal, as the offensive continues to expand. Israeli military spokesman General Efi Dufferin stated that 40% of the city’s territory is currently under Israeli control. However, this control has not resulted in a complete evacuation of the population. Of the approximately 1 million inhabitants of Gaza, only 250 people have managed to flee south, to the al-Mawasi “humanitarian” area in Khan Younis, which is already overcrowded and unable to accommodate more people.
Evacuation is difficult for many, costing up to $1, while others choose to stay due to lack of alternatives or extreme fatigue. According to residents like Najeeb Kaddoumi, what is happening is “deliberate ethnic cleansing.”
Satellite images show that Gaza today resembles cities like Rafah and Khan Younis, destroyed during previous fighting. According to Hamas authorities, about 64.000 people have been killed in two years of war, with an average of 1 victims per month, and these figures are considered reliable by the United Nations.
ISRAEL HAS COMMITTED GENOCIDE IN GAZA
The United Nations Independent Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Territories has released a new report saying there are reasonable grounds to conclude that Israel has committed four of the five acts of genocide defined under the 1948 Convention. According to the report, Israeli forces have killed members of the Palestinian group, created conditions that are destructive to their survival, and taken actions to prevent births, including the destruction of the largest fertility clinic in Gaza. The commission says statements by Israeli leaders indicate incitement to commit genocide.
On the other hand, the Israeli Foreign Ministry has described the report as “distorted and false,” accusing the commission of serving as a “spokesperson for Hamas.” Israel insists that the military campaign is aimed only at dismantling Hamas’s capabilities, not the Palestinian people, and that military actions are conducted in accordance with international law.
Since Hamas’s attack on Israel, which killed about 1.200 people and took 251 hostages, Israeli forces have launched a wide-ranging offensive in the Gaza Strip. Hamas-run health authorities report that more than 64 people have been killed in Gaza during air and ground attacks. The report warns that other states have a legal obligation to prevent and punish genocide, otherwise they could be considered complicit. Israel has called the process “completely baseless” and built on “one-sided claims.”
“GAZA IS BURNING”, ISRAEL IN NEW OFFENSIVE
After a night of heavy bombardment of Gaza City, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the Israeli army had entered a new phase of its offensive against the already devastated territory, where hundreds of thousands of civilians are sheltering. “Gaza is burning,” Katz said Tuesday morning, adding that “the IDF is striking the terrorist infrastructure with an iron fist.” He stressed that “the soldiers are fighting heroically to create the conditions for the release of the hostages and the destruction of Hamas. We will not retreat until the mission is completed.” During the night between Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 September, the Israeli army launched a massive invasion of Gaza using aircraft, drones, missiles and helicopters.
“This operation is just the beginning,” senior Israeli military officials said. Tanks and special forces have advanced into the city center, where many of the hostages are believed to be hiding.
Meanwhile, the death toll has risen to 62. The Wafa news agency, citing medical sources, reported that most of those killed in the attacks launched on Monday evening were in Gaza City. Among them are two people who lost their lives in the city’s Nassr neighborhood while sheltering in a tent. The intensification of Israeli attacks came immediately after the visit of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who from Tel Aviv declared the Trump administration’s “unwavering” support for Israel. Before leaving for Qatar, Rubio warned that time for a deal is running out. “We don’t have months left, maybe just days or weeks,” he said.
On the other hand, Hamas accused the US administration of “direct responsibility” in escalating the conflict due to its “open bias” against Israel, warning that the offensive endangers the lives of Israeli soldiers held hostage. There are still 48 hostages in Gaza who were kidnapped by Hamas and allied groups on October 7, 2023. Only 20 of them are believed to be still alive. Families of the hostages have announced a protest on Tuesday morning in front of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem, while police have closed the road around.
