Israeli Forces Carry Out Controlled Demolitions, Changing Gaza’s Landscape
In recent months, Israeli ground forces have been carrying out a wave of controlled demolitions in Gaza, drastically changing the landscape of the region. The New York Times conducted an analysis of Israeli military footage, social media videos, and satellite imagery, revealing that at least 33 controlled demolitions have taken place since November, destroying hundreds of buildings including mosques, schools, and residential neighborhoods.
The Israeli military claims that these demolitions are necessary to destroy terror infrastructures embedded within civilian areas. They argue that entire neighborhoods act as “combat complexes” for Hamas fighters. However, most of the demolition locations identified by The Times occurred well outside the designated buffer zone near the border. This raises questions about the true motives behind these demolitions.
To carry out these controlled demolitions, Israeli soldiers enter targeted structures to place mines or other explosives and then trigger them from a safe distance. While surrounding areas are usually cleared and secured, there are still risks involved, especially in areas of active fighting. Last week, 21 Israeli soldiers were killed when Palestinian fighters fired a rocket-propelled grenade in their direction, triggering the explosives they were preparing to detonate.
The Israeli government justifies these demolitions as part of an effort to create a security “buffer zone” inside Gaza, making it harder for fighters to carry out cross-border attacks. However, experts on humanitarian law argue that these demolitions could violate rules of war prohibiting the deliberate destruction of civilian property. Additionally, the creation of a buffer zone along Gaza’s border would be a violation of Washington’s longstanding position against the reduction of territory in Gaza.
Videos of these demolitions show the destruction of high-rise residential buildings, mosques, schools, and even a university. One video from late November captured a controlled explosion that brought down four high-rise residential buildings just blocks away from a major hospital in Gaza City. Another demolition in December destroyed over a dozen buildings around the city’s central Palestine Square, which the Israeli military claimed was home to a large network of tunnels.
The scale of these controlled demolitions is staggering. Satellite analysis estimates that at least half of the buildings in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed since the start of the war, with the controlled demolitions representing some of the most destructive episodes. Videos from early January show soldiers triggering several detonations in the town of Khuza’a, destroying nearly 200 homes. In Shuja’iyya, a residential neighborhood on the outskirts of Gaza City, scores of homes were razed over three weeks.
The demolitions have drawn widespread condemnation, especially after the video of the demolition of Israa University circulated online. The Israeli military claimed that the university had once served as a Hamas training camp and weapons-manufacturing facility. However, experts argue that this does not justify its destruction. Marco Sassòli, a professor of international law at the University of Geneva, emphasized that such demolitions should only be carried out if absolutely necessary for military operations.
For Palestinians, these demolitions are yet another symbol of loss and destruction in Gaza. They raise questions about the future of the territory after decades of displacement and war. The Palestinian ambassador to Britain, Husam Zomlot, believes that Israel’s goal is to make Gaza unliveable and lifeless, making it impossible for Palestinians to return to their land.
The controlled demolitions carried out by Israeli forces in Gaza have not only changed the physical landscape but also raised concerns about the violation of international law and the displacement of Palestinians. The true motives behind these demolitions remain unclear, but their impact on the lives of Palestinians is undeniable. As the conflict continues, it is crucial to seek a peaceful resolution that respects the rights and dignity of all parties involved.