Gaza today: A landscape of destruction and uncertainty after 15 months of war

Fifteen months of war with Israel have transformed Gaza into a landscape of shattered homes, makeshift camps, and uncertain futures. The scars of destruction stretch across the Palestinian enclave – residential blocks in ruins and displaced citizens standing in serpentine queues for necessities. The ceasefire may have silenced the guns, but the devastation remains.

Heavy bombardment, a barrage of missiles and ground operations in Gaza by Israel have transformed neighbourhoods into rubbles. While major roads have been ploughed up, water and electricity infrastructure are in ruins. Most hospitals are non-functional.

The return of hostages taken by Israel marks a moment of relief, but for many in Gaza, the struggle is far from over. In the north, families wait anxiously at checkpoints, hoping to return after months of displacement. Aid trucks are the only source of lifeline in a region where supplies remain scarce.

The United Nations, using satellite data, has estimated that nearly 70 per cent of the structures in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed, including at least 245,000 homes. The World Bank has put the damage at $18.5 billion.

As the ceasefire holds, the images from Gaza tell a story of loss, survival, and the monumental task of rebuilding from the rubble of war.

The war in Gaza was triggered on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israeli communities, breaching security barriers and killing an estimated 12,000 soldiers and civilians.

The militants also took approximately 250 hostages during the incursion. In retaliation, Israel initiated a large-scale military operation in Gaza, resulting in severe repercussions. Gaza’s health ministry reports that more than 46,000 people have lost their lives since the conflict started, while hundreds of thousands have been displaced, seeking shelter in temporary camps.