Gaza Post-War: A Journey Through Map Transformations and Despair

This report assesses the devastating impact of the recent conflict in Gaza, highlighting extensive destruction across the region, significant humanitarian crises, and the long road to recovery after 15 months of warfare.

The Gaza Strip, a narrow coastal enclave teeming with life, has become a stark landscape of devastation after 15 months of extensive warfare. A recent ceasefire brings hope to many, but the toll of the conflict persists, presenting a harrowing reality. The latest hostilities erupted following Hamas's unprecedented assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, which left around 1,200 Israelis dead and 251 hostages taken. In retaliation, Israel launched a series of aerial bombardments and a ground invasion with the intent to dismantle Hamas, whose control over Gaza has lasted since 2007. The toll on the Palestinian side has been staggering, with estimates of over 46,600 fatalities reported by Hamas-run health authorities.

Despite the ceasefire, the United Nations warns that recovery may take decades, and a recent visual analysis documents the profound changes within Gaza's geography and demography. Satellite imagery showcases the extent of destruction, with military operations initially focusing on northern Gaza, where towns such as Beit Hanoun faced immediate and severe assaults, leading to an untenable environment. As the offensives broadened, extensive damage was inflicted southward, with more than half of Gaza's buildings now reported as damaged or destroyed.

The situation worsened existing humanitarian crises, with the population of 2.2 million facing displacements on a massive scale, leaving entire districts uninhabitable. The UN estimates around 1.2 million displaced individuals now reside in tent cities, particularly in al-Mawasi, designated as a humanitarian zone, but lacking adequate infrastructure and supplies.

Food insecurity has spiraled dramatically, with 1.8 million Gazans facing acute shortages, including a staggering number of approximately 133,000 experiencing dire famine conditions. Despite the resumption of aid deliveries, the scale is insufficient, with calls for at least 300 aid lorries per day unmet.

The economic repercussions are also dire, with reports from the World Bank detailing an unprecedented contraction of 86% in Gaza's economy, pushing almost the entire population into poverty. Prior to the war, around 64% lived in poverty, but that figure has since skyrocketed to near totality, indicative of a society under siege.

Crucial healthcare infrastructure remains gravely impacted, with many facilities rendered inoperable. Reports estimate only 18 out of 36 hospitals continue to function in some capacity. Al-Shifa hospital, once the largest in the territory, is a symbol of devastation, yet has reopened emergency services amid allegations of military usage by Hamas—claims that are strongly refuted by hospital management.

As the dust settles, the potential for a protracted recovery looms large. The UN’s environmental assessments warn of severe degradation in water and sanitation systems and the overwhelming accumulation of debris, projecting it could take up to 21 years merely to clear the remnants of war. With over 50 million tonnes of debris already amassed, the path ahead remains fraught with challenges for the people of Gaza, who now face the dual burdens of recovery and renewal in a shattered land.