These before and after satellite images show the enormous destruction in Gaza. Tensions in Guatemala: Protesters block more than 100 streets

Last Saturday, October 7, Palestinian Hamas launched a surprise attack on several targets in Israel. The militia mainly attacked civilians: in total, the radical Islamists killed more than 1,200 Israelis, of whom only 222 were Israeli soldiers. Hamas also kidnapped more than 150 Israeli hostages to the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli army’s response was swift. As in the past, airstrikes were immediately launched on several targets in the Gaza Strip. These have also caused about 1,200 deaths so far. As the following satellite images show, entire city blocks were razed:

The entire Gaza Strip was also sealed off in response to Saturday’s attack. Currently, no water, electricity or fuel is supplied to the small strip of land. The Gaza Strip was already partially blocked before the complete closure.

The airstrikes are not always accurate. The surrounding houses are also often hit by the bombs.

According to the Israeli military, the Watan Tower housed a key Hamas communications infrastructure.

Israel also stated that it would not carry out attacks on civilian objects. The so-called precision attacks are mainly aimed at government buildings and other military installations. However, Amnesty International contradicts this position. As early as 2021, the human rights organization wrote a report describing Israel’s military practices as possible war crimes.

In the Rimal district, entire blocks of houses were destroyed by the airstrikes. These would mainly have been seats of government.

The Atatra region is located in the northeast of the Gaza Strip. The Israeli government considers the region a Hamas stronghold. In contrast to the rest of the Gaza Strip, there are virtually no Palestinian refugees living in the region, but mainly farming families.