Gaza Demolition Continues One Year After Israel-Hamas Ceasefire as Rafah Erased

Rafah, a city that once supported a population of 250,000, has been completely obliterated, marking what sources call the most significant devastation inflicted on the Gaza Strip during Israel's military operations over the last three years. Satellite images reveal that the Israeli forces have methodically demolished the southern city along with various other areas, often clearing away debris. Since the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas was established a year ago, demolition efforts involving bulldozers and explosives have persisted relentlessly, allowing the military to maintain control over approximately 60 percent of the region. The ravaged terrain reflects the extensive suffering experienced by Gaza's 2 million residents since Israel initiated its offensive against Hamas following the militants' attack on October 7, 2023. Over 10 percent of Gaza's pre-war population has been either killed or injured due to Israeli strikes, with nearly every family grieving lost loved ones or tending to the injured, while most have been forced to relocate several times due to ongoing conflict and evacuation orders. With nearly the entire population displaced, Palestinians are confronted with a landscape that is unrecognizable.