UPDATE: New drone footage reveals the staggering destruction of Gaza City just two days into a fragile ceasefire following two years of relentless warfare. The latest video from the Associated Press shows the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood, where only a handful of buildings remain standing amid the ruins. The imagery captures a landscape of devastation, with debris towering over vehicles and roads cloaked in concrete dust.
As tens of thousands of returning Palestinians navigate the wreckage, the human toll becomes painfully evident. Residents like Farah Saleh express shock at the unprecedented level of destruction, stating, “We did not expect this magnitude of destruction.” Another resident, Shreen Aboul Yakhni, lamented, “We are returning to no homes and no shelter for our kids, and winter is approaching.” Their tattered clothing adds rare splashes of color to an otherwise desolate scene.
The United Nations Satellite Center reports that as of late September, a staggering 83% of all structures in Gaza City have been destroyed or damaged. By July, around 78% of structures across the entire Gaza Strip faced similar fates. This drone footage underscores the urgent need for reconstruction, as experts estimate that 61 million tons of debris—equivalent to the volume of 25 Eiffel Towers—must be cleared to begin rebuilding the territory.
The environmental impact is equally devastating. The U.N. Environment Program reveals that 97% of tree crops, 95% of shrubs, and 82% of annual crops have been lost, raising concerns about food security for the more than 2 million residents of Gaza.
Rebuilding efforts are projected to cost over $50 billion, as the international community grapples with how to support the recovery. For now, families cling to the hope of reconstructing their lives, one blanket or beam at a time.
If the ceasefire holds, the full extent of the devastation will come into sharper focus. The humanitarian situation remains dire as residents confront a harsh winter with little access to shelter or basic necessities. Global attention is now turning toward Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need for aid and support to rebuild lives shattered by conflict.
Stay tuned for more updates as the situation develops.
