ISTANBUL
More than 1,500 buildings have been destroyed by the Israeli army in Gaza since a ceasefire deal took effect last month, satellite images showed Wednesday.
The images reviewed by the BBC Verify show revealed that entire neighborhoods in Israel-held areas beyond the so-called “yellow line” in Gaza have been completely devastated since Oct. 10.
Photos taken before the ceasefire agreement in the Abasan Al-Kabira area of Khan Younis in southern Gaza showed that many buildings had been undamaged, and some of them had gardens, trees, and orchards.
Satellite images taken in Rafah, Jabalia, and Gaza City before and after the ceasefire agreement also revealed a visible increase in the ruins and leveled buildings in these areas.
“The actual number of destroyed buildings could be significantly higher, with satellite imagery for some areas being unavailable for BBC Verify’s assessment,” the channel said.
An Israeli army spokesman claimed that demolitions were in response to “threats” and aimed to dismantle Hamas infrastructure.
According to the Gaza Government Media Office, Israel has committed 282 ceasefire violations, including 12 incursions into residential neighborhoods, 124 strikes, and 52 bombing operations targeting civilian buildings, resulting in the death of 242 Palestinians and over 620 others.
The Gaza ceasefire agreement took effect on Oct. 10, based on a 20-point plan by US President Donald Trump.
Phase one of the ceasefire deal includes the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The plan also envisages the rebuilding of Gaza and the establishment of a new governing mechanism without Hamas.
The Israeli army has killed more than 69,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured over 170,000 others and left the Gaza Strip uninhabitable since October 2023, according to the Health Ministry.