The Israeli military campaign in Gaza has been described as one of the deadliest and most destructive in recent history. In just over two months, the offensive has caused more destruction than the razing of Syria’s Aleppo, Ukraine’s Mariupol, or even the Allied bombing of Germany in World War II. The majority of bombs dropped on Gaza are believed to be US-made, including powerful “bunker-busters” that have killed hundreds in densely populated areas.
The destruction in Gaza is staggering. According to satellite data analysis, over two-thirds of all structures in northern Gaza and a quarter of buildings in the southern area of Khan Younis have been destroyed. This includes tens of thousands of homes, as well as schools, hospitals, mosques, and stores. UN monitors have reported that about 70 percent of school buildings across Gaza have been damaged, with at least 56 damaged schools serving as shelters for displaced civilians. Israeli strikes have also damaged 110 mosques and three churches.
Comparatively, the destruction in Gaza has surpassed the Allied bombings of Germany during World War II. The allies destroyed about 40-50 percent of urban areas in 51 major German cities and towns, amounting to 10 percent of buildings across Germany. In contrast, over 33 percent of buildings across Gaza have been destroyed. Military historian Robert Pape describes the campaign in Gaza as one of the most intense civilian punishment campaigns in history.
The Israeli military has not specified the types of bombs being used, but weapons experts have been able to draw conclusions based on blast fragments found on-site and satellite images. American-made Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) bombs, including precision-guided 1,000- and 2,000-pound “bunker-busters,” have been found in Gaza. These bombs are devastating, turning earth to liquid and pancaking entire buildings. The explosion of a 2,000-pound bomb in the open can result in instant death for anyone within about 30 meters, with lethal fragmentation extending up to 365 meters.
Experts have also identified fragments of SPICE (Smart, Precize Impact, Cost-Effective) 2000-pound bombs, which are fitted with a GPS guidance system for more precise targeting. These bombs are produced by the Israeli defense giant Rafael, but some of the technology has been produced in the United States. Additionally, the Israeli military is dropping unguided “dumb” bombs.
Israel’s strategy in Gaza is to destroy Hamas and rescue the hostages held by militants. The military claims to have destroyed many Hamas sites and hundreds of tunnel shafts, as well as killing thousands of Hamas fighters. However, some families of hostages worry that the bombing endangers their loved ones. Hostages released during a ceasefire last month reported being moved from place to place to avoid Israeli bombardment. Hamas has claimed that several hostages died from Israeli bombs, although these claims could not be verified.
The level of destruction in Gaza is attributed to Hamas’ entrenchment within the civilian population. Efraim Inbar, head of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security, explains that intense bombardment of Hamas’ tunnels is necessary to protect advancing Israeli ground forces from attacks.
As the death toll in Gaza continues to rise and international calls for a ceasefire grow louder, the devastating impact of Israel’s military campaign cannot be ignored. The destruction of homes, schools, hospitals, and places of worship has left Gaza in ruins. The use of powerful bombs, including bunker-busters, has resulted in the loss of countless innocent lives. The long-term consequences of this campaign will be felt for years to come, as Gaza struggles to rebuild and recover from the devastation inflicted upon it.