Gaza: Maps and graphics after 15 months of war

Gaza: Maps and graphics after 15 months of war

A fragile reconciliation agreement between Israel and Hamas came into effect on Sunday, calling for a halt in fighting for the first six weeks, the staggered release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners and an influx of aid to Gaza. The three-phase ceasefire has raised cautious hopes for an end to the war.

Destruction and humanitarian crisis in Gaza

Israeli bombings of the Gaza Strip since the Hamas-led attacks on October 7 have caused devastating damage to the region. Aid groups warn that rebuilding critical infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, water and health facilities, will take years.

The sad record of civilian casualties

According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, another 11,000 people are reported missing - presumably either missing or still hidden under rubble. Current studies suggest that the death toll could be significantly higher than current estimates. A study by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, published this month in the Lancet magazine, found that the Palestinian Health Authority underestimated the mortality rate by about 41%. As of October 2024, the number of Gazans killed in violence was estimated at over 70,000.

Economic and social challenges

Israeli airstrikes have reduced most of Gaza to rubble, with Gaza City suffering the most damage. According to the United Nations, around 436,000 housing units were damaged or destroyed. About 1.9 million Palestinians – around 90% of the population – are internally displaced, according to the UN. Many people in Gaza have been displaced multiple times - some up to ten times.

Evacuation orders and the reality on site

According to the UN, Israeli forces have regularly issued evacuation orders from one dangerous area to another. These were often distributed through airdrops - a method described by Amnesty International as "not an effective warning to civilians".

Humanitarian situation and access to food

Many people in Gaza have had great difficulty accessing food for over a year. Before the war, Gaza was largely self-sufficient in fresh food production. Israel's military operations have damaged or destroyed up to 96% of agricultural operations, including farms and orchards.

Challenges for humanitarian aid

The UN reported in November that people are "effectively starving as the conflict continues as humanitarian organizations are prevented from providing aid." Before the war, an average of 500 trucks per day passed through the Gaza border crossing. In contrast, only 2,205 aid trucks reached Gaza last month.

Collapse of the health system in Gaza

The health system in Gaza is at an end. Before October 2023, there were 36 functioning hospitals in the region; now none of them are fully functional. Israel's pattern of attacks has pushed the health system to the brink of total collapse, according to a UN report. To date, the World Health Organization (WHO) has verified 654 attacks on health facilities in Gaza, resulting in 886 deaths and 1,349 injuries.

The situation in Gaza remains tense and requires urgent international attention and support.