Israel Is Flattening Areas of Gaza City

The Israeli military has razed block after block of Gaza City as part of a new ground offensive in what was once the territory’s largest urban center.

Israel’s war against Hamas, which began two years ago, has leveled wide swathes of the Gaza Strip, including the city of Rafah in the south and the town of Beit Hanoun in the north. But the military did not carry out such widespread demolitions in previous Gaza City operations.

This time is different.

Though much of the city is still standing, satellite images show Israeli forces are destroying whole areas as they sweep into Gaza City, including the Zeitoun neighborhood and an area near Sheikh Radwan, where the military has demolished dozens of structures this month.

Previously, Israeli troops advanced through Gaza City and then withdrew – only to return later to fight what they said was a renewed Hamas insurgency. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel said this time around was different because the military would hold areas it seized. But even many Israelis are skeptical that this strategy will succeed now, as Hamas has proven resilient in the face of nearly two years of devastating war.

Before the current offensive, most buildings in Gaza City were damaged. Many were uninhabitable, but they were largely still standing, especially toward the center of town.

Earlier this summer, Israel flattened areas around the city near the Israeli border.

On Aug. 8, the Israeli government approved a plan to take control of Gaza City. By then, the military had already razed much of the eastern side of the city.

The military continued destruction on the edges of the city, turning the Zeitoun neighborhood into a wasteland, though it said it had not yet begun its full takeover of the city. It has since ordered the remaining residents to flee for their lives.

Then, last week, the Israeli military said it had begun its ground invasion of Gaza City. Since then, the military has destroyed a large area on the northern side of the city.

While closing in on Gaza City, Israel has used existing buildings as bases, only to later destroy them with explosives before moving onward, according to satellite images and videos verified by The New York Times.

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