Since the start of the Israel Defense Forces ground operation in Rafah, more than 2,900 acres of southern Gaza, equivalent to almost 12 square kilometers, have been affected by bulldozing or significant destruction by military strikes. This information was revealed by a source who compared recent and archival satellite imagery from Planet Labs to identify the impacted areas.
The bulldozing initially began near the Egypt-Gaza border crossing at Rafah but has now extended along the entire Philadelphi corridor border and into eastern and central Rafah. The IDF's bulldozing operation has focused on this corridor, with nearly every building within 500 feet of the border being razed.
The IDF has stated that its actions are driven by military necessity and are aimed at enhancing security in Southern Israel. The military claims to have found evidence of smuggling tunnels from Gaza into Egypt along the border, justifying the extensive bulldozing operations.
According to the IDF, the bulldozing is targeting terror infrastructures hidden within buildings, neighborhoods, and entire city blocks in Rafah. These areas are allegedly being used for various combat purposes, including ambushes, command centers, weapon storage, tunnels, observation posts, firing positions, and explosives placement.
While the IDF did not confirm the total area affected, it emphasized the need for these operations to implement a defense plan that will bolster security in the region. Satellite imagery since early May has shown large portions of eastern and central Rafah being completely razed or significantly destroyed, indicating the extensive impact of the ongoing military activities in the area.
