These two satellite images taken on May 19, 2023 and May 16, 2025 show the Jabalia area, in northern Gaza before and after it was reduced to rubble by Israeli bombing. 

Between October 7, 2023 and June 4, 2025, the Ministry of Health in Gaza, reported that at least 54,607 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli army, 15,613 of which were children. Approximately 125,341 people have been injured. A report by the UN Special Committee tasked with investigating Israeli practices asserts that the Israeli offensive is consistent with genocide, intentionally causing death, starvation, and serious injury, restricting aid as a method of warfare, and inflicting collective punishment to obtain political and military gains.

The heavy and relentless bombardment of Gaza has resulted in the destruction of 70% of all structures according to the UN Satellite Centre (UNOSAT). Of the affected infrastructure, 258,201 homes are estimated to have been damaged leaving approximately 1.1 million people in need of emergency shelter. According to OCHA, 81% of Gaza is currently either within the “no-go” areas or under displacement orders. 

The destruction of Jabalia can be clearly seen in the satellite images. Bombing and artillery have destroyed buildings, and once green parks have become dusty encampments used to house the displaced. Within the Jabalia and Jabalia Camp neighbourhoods, 19,434 buildings have been damaged or destroyed according to the most current data from UNOSAT. Jabalia was once the largest of eight refugee camps in Palestine. It was 1.4 square kilometers and resembled a small town made up of densely populated apartment buildings. Before October 7, 2023, approximately 119,000 Palestinians lived in this camp.

The UN Special Committee report found the unprecedented scale of destruction creates both immediate and long-term risks to public health, arable land and access to clean water.

• 2023: Planet Labs.
• 2025: Planet Labs.