Satellite Images Show Scale of Destruction in Gaza Strip After Israel’s Bombing Campaign

Newly released satellite images reveal the significant damage that's already been done to sites across the Gaza Strip following thousands of Israeli strikes ahead of an Israel Defense Forces ground invasion of the Hamas-controlled territory.

The before and after images from the satellite imagery firm Maxar were taken between Oct. 10 and Oct. 21. They depict three neighborhoods of northern Gaza that have been extensively damaged, including Atatra, Beit Hanoon and al-Karama.

Many residential buildings, businesses and mosques have been reduced to rubble, the images show.

The airstrikes were launched on Gaza after Hamas terrorists attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing more than 1,400 people.

The gunman attacked families in their homes, torturing and slaughtering men, women, children and babies, according to evidence released by Israel. Hundreds of Israelis were also taken hostage.

According to the UN's Palestinian refugee agency, UNRWA, 45% percent of all housing units in the strip have been damaged or destroyed in the Israeli strikes, leaving more than 600,000 people internally displaced in shelters within Gaza since the strikes.

In a statement on Thursday, Mohammad Ziyara, head of the Palestinian-led ministry of public works and housing, said the strikes have "erased entire families from the civil registry,", as well as "neighborhoods and residential communities".

"[It] also destroyed facilities, including hospitals, places of worship, bakeries, water filling stations, markets, schools, and educational and service institutions,” Ziyara said.

“Even in my worst nightmares, I never thought this could be possible,” Rami Abu Wazna, a Gaza resident told Agence France-Presse.

The Palestinian-led health ministry said more than 7,000 people have died in Gaza during the war.

Still, Israel maintains that it does not target civilians, and claims that Hamas deliberately hides weapons and terrorists amongst the civilian popular and infrastructure.

Israeli airstrikes against Gaza have increased in recent days, as have limited ground incursions, suggesting the campaign is part of Israel's preparation for a full-scale ground invasion to root out Hamas.

The increased attacks prompted President Biden over the weekend to call on Israel to provide more humanitarian aid to affected areas in Gaza.