Current satellite images of the Gaza Strip showed that the urban fabric in the region before the attacks has largely disappeared.
According to Al Jazeera's analysis of satellite images published on Google Maps, in many parts of Gaza, only piles of rubble remain from buildings, while it has become difficult to even distinguish some neighborhoods from each other. Faint lines of main roads were among the few remaining traces in densely populated areas.
In the analysis of the United Nations Satellite Center (UNOSAT) dated October 11, 2025, it was determined that approximately 81 percent of the structures across the Gaza Strip were damaged. The report stated that 123 thousand 464 buildings were completely destroyed and a total of 198 thousand 273 buildings were damaged at various levels.
Rafah, in the southernmost part of Gaza, was one of the main areas where hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians took shelter during the war.
However, after the operations launched by the Israeli army in the region in May 2024, approximately 1 million people had to leave Rafah. The majority of the displaced headed towards Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah in the central part of Gaza.
The Tel es-Sultan neighborhood in the west of Rafah was one of the heaviest destruction areas revealed by satellite images. It seems that many buildings in the previously densely built area have completely disappeared.
AL-MAWASI HAS BECOME A TENT CITY
Al-Mavasi, which lies along the coasts of Rafah and Khan Yunus, was a section of agricultural lands and sparse settlements before the war.
In the first period of the war, the Israeli administration declared Al-Mavasi a "humanitarian zone" and directed the displaced Palestinians there.
Satellite images reveal that the area, which was previously largely empty, is now densely covered with tents. It is stated that most of the families sheltering in the region were displaced more than once during the war.
Khan Younis, in the south of Gaza, was also among the areas hardest hit by the attacks.
In UNOSAT's July 2025 assessment, it was stated that Khan Younis and Rafah were the regions where building damage increased most rapidly compared to the previous period. It was determined that the number of newly damaged buildings in Khan Yunus city alone was 5 thousand 865.
According to October 2025 data reported by Al Jazeera, the number of damaged structures in Khan Yunus province exceeded 51 thousand.
Indonesian Istiklal Mosque, one of the important places of worship in the region, was among the structures destroyed during the war.
GAZA PORT RECEIVED HEAVY DAMAGE
One of the points where the destruction in Gaza city was most visible was the Gaza Port.
The port, which was one of the centers of the fishing industry, which directly or indirectly contributed to the livelihood of approximately 110 thousand people before the war, was severely damaged during the attacks. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), most of the fishing boats in the port have become unusable.
According to UNOSAT's review dated September 2025, approximately 83 percent of the structures in Gaza city were damaged. A total of 41 thousand 221 buildings in the city were classified as damaged.
The north of Gaza also became the center of repeated military operations and forced evacuations throughout the war.
While large areas of Beit Lahiya, Jabaliyah and surrounding settlements were seen to be destroyed, the Jabaliyah Refugee Camp, the largest of the eight refugee camps in Gaza, also suffered heavy destruction.
Satellite images show that some building blocks have completely turned into rubble. Al Jazeera reported that agricultural lands in Northern Gaza were also largely destroyed.
APPROXIMATELY 200 THOUSAND STRUCTURES WERE DAMAGED
According to the Gaza-wide assessment published by UNOSAT on October 31, 2025, 123 thousand 464 buildings were completely destroyed, 17 thousand 116 buildings were severely damaged, and 33 thousand 857 buildings were moderately damaged. When possible damaged structures were included, the total number reached 198 thousand 273.
In the same assessment, it was stated that approximately 320 thousand 622 housing units were damaged.
In Al Jazeera's news dated September 29, 2026, based on UNRWA data, it was stated that approximately 82 percent of the structures in Gaza were damaged and nearly two-thirds of the approximately 200 thousand damaged structures were completely destroyed.
The news stated that more than 74 thousand Palestinians have lost their lives and more than 175 thousand people have been injured since October 7, 2023, and it was stated that the actual loss of life may be higher due to people trapped under the rubble and missing.
