Satellite Images Show Rafah Devastated Amid Reconstruction Plans

Satellite imagery accessible via Google Maps reveals the near-total destruction of Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city, with most buildings existing before the October 7th attacks now gone. This stark visual contrasts with optimistic pronouncements from American and international bodies regarding Gaza's reconstruction.

Early this year, U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner presented a vision for Gaza's future, including a two-to-three-year timeline for rebuilding Rafah. Despite the approval for the "Peacekeeping Council" to enter Gaza in July, a significant international force has yet to deploy.

The Israeli military continues its operations against Hamas in Gaza, recently eliminating the commander of Hamas's Rafah brigade, Nail Abu Abid. Meanwhile, the Trump Peace Council remains optimistic about reconstruction, announcing a $2.4 billion plan encompassing 66 projects, despite ongoing ceasefire violations attributed by the council to both Hamas and Israel.

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, a senior figure in the Peace Council, stated at a UN General Assembly side event that Hamas has agreed to disarm, facilitating the destruction of extensive tunnel networks and weapon manufacturing facilities beneath Gaza City. He also indicated that Gaza is now free from Hamas's control, with agreements in place with Israel for full demilitarization, a new security mechanism, and international stabilization, while keeping the option of a Palestinian state open.

Nikolay Mladenov, the council's senior representative for Gaza, expressed surprise at the progress made, noting a roadmap agreed upon with Hamas, mediated by Qatar and Turkey, includes a commitment to disarm. He highlighted the presence of the Palestinian Technocratic Committee, the interim governing body for civilian affairs, and acknowledged that Israeli elections have complicated discussions. General Jasper Jeffers, commander of the International Stabilization Force (ISF) for Gaza, confirmed training for a force of 500 soldiers from Morocco and Kosovo, with plans to neutralize tunnels and weapons sector by sector, paving the way for Israeli withdrawal and reconstruction by Gazans.