How did the Israel-Hamas War damage buildings and infrastructure in the Gaza Strip?

The Israel-Hamas War, which began in October 2023, has resulted in catastrophic damage to the Gaza Strip. Following the October 7 attack by Hamas, the Israel Defense Forces launched an extensive air campaign and ground operations aimed at dismantling Hamas’s military and governing capabilities.123

The conflict has leveled much of the territory, causing widespread destruction of buildings and essential infrastructure. By November 2025, reports indicated that more than two-thirds of all buildings in the Gaza Strip had been damaged or destroyed. Military operations have also focused on targeting an intricate network of subterranean tunnels used by militants for smuggling and raids, further contributing to the physical devastation of the enclave.1342

This destruction has occurred alongside a severe humanitarian crisis, characterized by the displacement of more than half of the population and the disruption of basic services, including the supply of water, electricity, food, and fuel, which were cut off by Israel at the start of the conflict.12