Monday, December 18, 2023
- Monday, December 18, 2023
- Elder of Ziyon
The Economist published this map of structural damage in Gaza. Light pink is before the ceasefire, and darker red is since the ceasefire.
If you compare this with a satellite map of Gaza, you see that most of the damage since the ceasefire has been outside of crowded residential areas. Most seem to be aimed at industrial districts and what appears to be farmland. (I imagine tank damage might count as structural damage as well.)
The apparent target north of the wadi is the Al Zahraa Chalet hotel and a structure next to it.
Even at a glance, one can see that Israel's targeting is much different now.
The Economist maps seems to be slightly off when comparing their streets with the satellite, but this section near a curve in Wadi Gaza where there is heavy damage is illustrative.
Here's the satellite image of the area:
What appears to be happening is that as Israel gathers more and more intelligence, especially from captured terrorists, it is discovering many more specific targets that Hamas uses. As its intel improves, the need for heavy bombing to collapse tunnels decreases, since now the IDF can target specific tunnel entrances - very likely under a hotel - or weapons caches.