GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) – Recent drone footage has revealed the extent of destruction in Gaza City two years after the onset of a devastating war, as a ceasefire enters its second day. The footage, captured by The Associated Press on Saturday, highlights the nearly complete devastation in the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood, where only a few structures remain standing while the rest lie gutted amid towering piles of debris. The once vibrant streets of Gaza City are now covered in concrete dust, with a noticeable absence of life.
Few residents are seen navigating the ruins, with many attempting to return to what remains of their homes. The immense scale of destruction has left some returning residents in disbelief. One individual, Farah Saleh, expressed shock at the "magnitude of destruction," while another, Shreen Aboul Yakhni, lamented the loss of shelter for her children as winter approaches, stating, "Is that what is left of Gaza?" Their personal belongings and clothing offered rare spots of color against the grim backdrop of the wreckage.
As the ceasefire continues, the ramifications of the devastation are becoming clearer. By late September, the United Nations Satellite Center estimated that 83% of all structures in Gaza City had either been destroyed or damaged. The UN reported that around 78% of all structures throughout Gaza had suffered similar fates by July. The drone footage provides a stark visualization of the staggering amount of reconstruction needed, with around 61 million tons of debris requiring clearance – an amount equivalent to 25 Eiffel Towers in volume, according to the United Nations Environment Program.
In addition to the physical destruction, Gaza's natural landscape has also suffered greatly; the UNEP noted that 97% of tree crops, 95% of shrubs, and 82% of annual crops have been lost. The World Bank projects that rebuilding efforts in Gaza will necessitate more than $50 billion. The over 2 million Palestinians in the territory are eager to begin the long process of reconstruction, even as they face overwhelming challenges.
The conflict that has led to this humanitarian crisis began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched a sudden assault into Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 Israeli casualties and around 250 hostages taken. In response, Israel enacted a military offensive in Gaza, leading to the reported deaths of more than 67,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. This ministry, which is part of the Hamas-led government, does not differentiate between civilians and combatants, but claims about half of the casualties were women and children. Many independent experts and the United Nations consider these figures to be the most credible estimates regarding wartime casualties.
The ongoing war has also triggered conflicts in neighboring regions and sparked worldwide protests, leading to allegations of genocide against Israel, which the nation has vehemently denied. As the situation continues to evolve, the focus remains on the humanitarian impacts of the conflict and the immense task ahead in rebuilding Gaza.
