Satellite imagery shows Israeli military expansion in Gaza amid stalled reconstruction

Analysis of recent satellite data reveals Israeli forces building fortifications across Gaza while US-backed civilian rebuilding efforts have halted.

Satellite imagery analysis has revealed extensive Israeli military construction across Gaza, even as proposed civilian reconstruction projects remain stalled, according to an examination by Al Jazeera's Digital Investigations Unit.¹²

The investigation analysed imagery from Planet Labs and Sentinel Hub covering the period from 25 February to 15 March, showing Israeli military fortifications expanding at what the analysis described as a "relentless pace" across Gaza, particularly in Rafah.¹²

The United States has proposed plans to rebuild Rafah, a southern Gaza city heavily damaged during Israeli bombardment over two years of conflict.¹² The reconstruction has been described as the centrepiece of a US-Israeli vision for post-war Gaza, but satellite images suggest the project has not yet broken ground.¹²

The analysis found that while rubble removal has essentially ceased in both Beit Hanoon in northern Gaza and in Rafah, Israeli forces are establishing what the investigation termed a "permanent military reality" across the enclave.¹²

Satellite imagery from 10 March showed extensive clearing and fortification work at the al-Muntar hilltop in the Shujayea neighbourhood of Gaza City, as well as at outposts in Khan Younis in southern Gaza.¹

The findings indicate a divergence between military and civilian construction activity in Gaza, with Israeli military infrastructure development accelerating while civilian reconstruction efforts have slowed.¹²