According to a United Nations report released on September 30, 2024, two-thirds of buildings in the Gaza Strip have been damaged or destroyed since the Gaza war began in October 2023.
The UN Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) updated its assessment based on high-resolution satellite images taken in early September, highlighting a significant increase in destruction.
Approximately 66% of all structures in the Gaza Strip, amounting to 163,778 buildings, have incurred damage. This includes 52,564 buildings that were completely destroyed, 18,913 severely damaged, and 35,591 possibly damaged, with an additional 56,710 moderately affected.
Gaza City has suffered particularly severe damage, with 36,611 buildings completely destroyed. Additionally, around 68% of permanent crop fields in the territory have experienced a significant decline in health and density, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
The conflict was ignited by Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people, primarily civilians, according to Israeli authorities.
In retaliation, Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have claimed the lives of at least 41,615 individuals, the majority of whom were also civilians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The UN has affirmed the reliability of these casualty figures.
The UNOSAT team has played a crucial role in providing vital insights into the impact of the conflict on Gaza’s infrastructure, aiding humanitarian organizations in developing emergency relief efforts.
Nikhil Seth, Executive Director of UNITAR, stated, “Over the past year, UNOSAT’s team has worked tirelessly to provide the world with precise and timely insights into the impact of the conflict on buildings and infrastructure in Gaza.”
