Google Earth Reveals Devastating Scale of Destruction in Gaza

Israel's military action in Gaza has resulted in widespread destruction, with swathes of the territory reduced to rubble. The updated images on Google Earth show the devastating scale of damage, with 90% of working-age Palestinians unemployed and annual GDP per capita plummeting to $212 ($0.58 per day).

The majority of housing, hospitals, schools, and buildings across Gaza have been damaged or destroyed, leaving thousands without homes. The Israeli government has not allowed foreign journalists, independent investigators, or human rights groups into the strip, making it difficult to assess the full extent of the damage.

Benjamin Netanyahu's government has denied committing war crimes, labeling accusations 'antisemitic.' However, experts warn that Israel's rubble-clearing efforts could erase evidence of international crimes and prevent the recovery and identification of human remains. The World Health Organisation estimates 90% of hospitals have been damaged or destroyed.

Clearing the estimated 60 million tonnes of debris spread across Gaza could take decades, but experts say it could be done in seven years with the correct resources. The UN has called for international investigators to be granted access to all areas of Gaza to help collect evidence and document alleged violations.