Since withdrawal from a ceasefire with Hamas in March this year, Israel has demolished thousands of buildings across Gaza, with entire towns and suburbs levelled in the past few weeks.
Satellite images by the BBC show massive amounts of destruction in several areas that Israel’s military command claims to have under “operational control.”
Large swathes of it have been caused by planned demolitions, both to already damaged buildings and ones that appeared largely intact.
Verified footage shows large explosions unleashing plumes of dust and debris, as Israeli forces carry out controlled demolitions on tower blocks, schools, and other infrastructure.
BBC Verify reports multiple legal experts as saying that Israel may have committed war crimes under the Geneva Convention, which largely prohibits the destruction of infrastructure by an occupying power.
An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson said Israel operated in accordance with international law; that Hamas concealed “military assets” in civilian areas, and that the “destruction of property is only performed when an imperative military necessity is demanded.”
The scale of destruction can be clearly seen in the city of Rafah, near the border with Egypt.
In recent weeks, Israeli forces and contractors have levelled large swathes of Rafah.
An analysis of damage by academics Corey Scher and Jamon Van Den Hoek found the destruction in Gaza since April has been most concentrated in the region.
