Destruction Looms Near Camps as Massive Craters Emerge in Rafah: Insights from the Israel-Gaza Conflict

Recent satellite images have revealed the presence of significant craters in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza, following Israeli airstrikes. Some of these craters are located just 130 meters away from rows of tents that are housing people who have been displaced by the ongoing conflict. The airstrikes on Rafah intensified following the successful rescue of two hostages in an Israeli raid on February 12th. The most recent satellite images, taken on February 14th, show several craters near the site of the operation. BBC Verify has analyzed a video provided by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and has identified the operation to a district in Rafah that is filled with plastic greenhouses, many of which have been destroyed. These images also highlight the close proximity of the airstrikes to areas that are filled with temporary structures housing those forced to leave their homes. Although Israel has repeatedly urged Palestinians in north and central Gaza to relocate south for their own safety, the fighting has now reached these very areas. The IDF claims that it is targeting Hamas fighters operating in Rafah. The population of Rafah has reportedly increased five-fold since the Hamas attacks on October 7th, with an estimated 1.5 million people now residing there. Temporary camps, including a main road, have been set up throughout the area. The satellite images also showcase the growth of tent numbers in the nearby Al-Mawasi area. This narrow strip of land along the Mediterranean Sea near the coast in southern Gaza was largely empty before the conflict, but now consists of numerous temporary structures. Additionally, a previously empty area in the east is now filled with tents.