Palestinians in Gaza are confronted with a catastrophic situation after a ceasefire ended over 15 months of fighting with Israel. Drone footage reveals widespread destruction, with rubble dominating the landscape. Critics accuse Israel of a scorched earth campaign, while Israel maintains its military actions were necessary to combat Hamas and minimize civilian harm.
Updated: Jan. 21, 2025, 7:24 a.m.An aerial photograph taken by a drone shows displaced Palestinians returning to Rafah, a day after the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas came into effect, Gaza Strip, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. RAFAH, Gaza Strip — Palestinians in Gaza are confronting an apocalyptic landscape of devastation after a ceasefire paused more than 15 months of fighting between Israel and Hamas .
Critics say Israel has waged a campaign of scorched earth to destroy the fabric of life in Gaza, accusations that are being considered in two global courts, including the crime of genocide. Israel denies those charges and says its military has been fighting a complex battle in dense urban areas and that it tries to avoid causing undue harm to civilians and their infrastructure.
Human Rights Watch, in a November report accusing Israel of crimes against humanity, said “the destruction is so substantial that it indicates the intention to permanently displace many people.” The military’s engineering corps was tasked with using bulldozers to clear routes, downing buildings seen as threats, and blowing up Hamas’ underground tunnel network.
Cemeteries, schools, hospitals and more were targeted and destroyed, he said, because Hamas was using these for military purposes. Secondary blasts from Hamas explosives inside these buildings could worsen the damage.
GAZA ISRAEL HAMAS CEASEFIRE DESTRUCTION SCORCHED EARTH GENOCIDE CIVILIAN CASUALTIES
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