Since October 2023, nearly 2 million Palestinian people have been displaced within the Gaza strip, many of whom had their homes destroyed by airstrikes from Israel. One video shows the scale of devastation in just one neighborhood in northern Gaza. The video was taken by a drone and posted less than two months into the war.

In addition to destroying individual family homes, residential neighborhoods, and villages, Israeli forces have also destroyed civilian infrastructure.

The Israeli government has one of the most technologically advanced armies with artificial intelligence-based surveillance and security systems. They have used AI systems and have destroyed homes, schools, hospitals, historic structures, and more. Israel’s ongoing war in the Gaza strip has led to one of the most destructive wars in recent history.

Destroying Gaza, Home by Home

Palestinian families have been losing their homes for decades, including being forced from their homes in 1948. Israel has kept many of these Palestinian men, women, and children — some of whom are also Israeli citizens — from returning to their homes.

Damaging Critical Infrastructure

News sources cite that in addition to civilian homes, Palestinian “mosques, schools, heritage sites, libraries, key government buildings, and hospitals” have destroyed by Israel’s attacks.

Here are a few statistics on the infrastructure losses in the Gaza strip:

• All 12 universities in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed.
• Thirty-two of Gaza’s 36 hospitals and healthcare facilities have been attacked.
• Hundreds of schools have been targeted and struck by Israeli forces.
• Refugee camps across Gaza have been bombed dozens of times.

Bombing kills people, the men, women, and children burned, dismembered, buried under rubble. Israel’s reports state that at least 60% of casualties are civilian, while other sources believe the ratio to be much higher. The destruction of critical infrastructure will make it much harder for Palestinian citizens to return to their homes and land to rebuild after the war.

Erasing Culture and History

In addition to destroying homes and critical infrastructure, Israel has also destroyed much of Gaza’s cultural heritage. NPR reports that “more than 100 Gaza heritage sites have been damaged or destroyed by Israeli attacks.” In the article, Veltman lists these historical places, including religious sites from all denominations, museums, libraries, and cultural landmarks.

Heritage for Peace is an international group that advocates for peacebuilding through cultural preservation. They released a report in 2023 on the humanitarian impacts of Israel’s attacks on heritage sites in the Gaza strip.

The Impacts of Destruction

Over the last 8 months, Israeli forces have destroyed critical infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and Palestinian families’ homes. Israel’s army has also bombed refugee camps and purported safe zones.

Israel’s current war on Gaza has been one of the deadliest and most destructive in recent history. It has also killed more children than all other wartime conflicts in the last several years combined.

Many historians agree that the massive loss of life coupled with the loss of infrastructure, homelands, and culture is unprecedented; many argue that Israel’s actions make a strong claim for a case of genocide.

Official Statements about the War

In addition to high death tolls, Israeli officials have also been making statements about the war and Palestinian people that many are calling “incendiary” and layered with “genocidal intent.” Several Israeli officials have called for the Gaza strip to be “flattened,” “erased,” or “destroyed.”

These statements are not being made by isolated extremists, but by senior members of Israel’s government. Israel’s Minister Avi Dichter describes Israel’s intent by claiming Israel’s government is “now rolling out the Nakba 2023.”

Time for a Ceasefire?

Citizens of countries across the globe, international organizations, and leaders of nations have been calling for a ceasefire from Israel. Meanwhile the United States government continues to send funding and weapons to Israel’s government. Is it time to call for peace?  Perhaps ending the mistreatment of Palestinian families would be a more practical, moral way to gain the return of hostages.  Perhaps letting Palestinian families return to their homes would be a more practical, moral way for Israel to achieve peace and security for its citizen than by trying to achieve that peace by killing, injuring, and mistreating even more people.

To learn more about the Israel-Palestine conflict and how you can get involved,

Visit The Promised Land Museum and consider hosting an exhibit to help promote peace.