New satellite imagery reveals that Israel has destroyed over 1,500 buildings in Gaza areas still under its control since the ceasefire with Hamas took effect on October 10.
The images, reviewed by BBC Verify, show entire neighbourhoods reduced to rubble in under a month, highlighting the scale of demolitions across the occupied areas.
The latest photographs, captured on November 8, indicate that the number of destroyed structures may be even higher, as satellite coverage was not available for all zones.
Some experts suggest that these demolitions could violate the ceasefire agreements mediated by the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, although the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) maintain that their actions comply with the framework of the truce.
Under the terms of the ceasefire, outlined in former US President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan, all military operations were to be halted. Trump has repeatedly affirmed that “the war is over,” yet the destruction seen from above tells a different story.
Houses, Gardens, and Orchards Flattened
BBC Verify analyzed radar images to identify changes before and after the ceasefire. Using this method, they found extensive destruction in areas behind the “Yellow Line,” which Israel agreed to respect as the withdrawal boundary in October.
Many of the buildings destroyed appeared intact prior to their demolition. In eastern Khan Younis, especially around Abasan al-Kabira, homes with gardens and small farms were leveled.
Former resident Lana Khalil described her home as a “heaven” full of “farms and vegetables.” She said, “The Israeli military left nothing to us, they demolished everything,” adding that residents could hear the demolitions “from our tents in al-Mawasi.”
Similar destruction was recorded near al-Bayuk, east of Rafah, where aerial footage from early November showed dust rising from demolished neighbourhoods. Gaza City also saw continued devastation, with buildings in Shejaiya and near the Indonesian hospital at Jabalia camp destroyed.
Israel Cites Security Concerns
Israel maintains that the demolitions target “terror infrastructure.” A spokesperson for the IDF said, “According to the agreement, all terror infrastructure, including tunnels, is to be dismantled throughout Gaza. Israel is acting in response to threats, violations, and terror infrastructure.”
Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, explained on X on October 18 that “demilitarizing Gaza by destroying the terror tunnels and all terror infrastructure” is part of Israel’s security policy.
Point 13 of Trump’s peace plan also called for the destruction of “military, terror, and offensive infrastructure” under the supervision of independent monitors.
Eitan Shamir, formerly of Israel’s Ministry of Strategic Affairs, said the ceasefire does not cover areas behind the Yellow Line. Verified social media footage shows controlled demolitions and excavators operating in these zones.
Shamir also claimed that Hamas continued attempts to infiltrate beyond the line, requiring Israel to prepare the area for potential renewed fighting.
Legal and Political Concerns
Experts argue that the scale of destruction could violate international law. Dr H A Hellyer, Senior Associate Fellow at RUSI, said, “This is definitely a violation of the ceasefire. But [Washington] DC is unwilling to recognise it as such, insisting that the ceasefire has to hold, even when it isn’t actually holding.”
Adil Haque, a law professor at Rutgers University, noted that the laws of war prohibit destroying civilian property unless absolutely necessary for military action.
“During a ceasefire, it is not plausible that such significant destruction of civilian property has been rendered absolutely necessary by military operations,” he said.
Hugh Lovatt, Senior Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, warned that the ongoing demolitions could undermine the peace agreement.
“The longer Israel remains behind the Yellow Line, the greater the perception that it is creating permanent changes on the ground, threatening the stability of the ceasefire,” he said.
