Satellite images and video footage show some cemeteries in Gaza razed by Israeli forces
Israeli ground forces have damaged or destroyed at least six cemeteries during their advance into the northern Gaza Strip, most of them in recent weeks, according to an analysis of new satellite images and video footage by The New York Times.
In Gaza City’s Shajaiye neighborhood, where heavy fighting has raged in recent days, Israeli forces razed part of the Tunisian cemetery to set up a temporary military position. A satellite image from Sunday shows armored vehicles and earthen fortifications on what were intact graves days earlier.
The Israeli military did not respond to questions from The Times about the reason for destroying the cemetery and whether it has taken any precautions to protect religious sites in Gaza. The laws of armed conflict consider the deliberate destruction of religious sites without military necessity as a possible war crime.
Much of the damage was inflicted this month, when Israeli forces advanced on what Israeli officials say are remaining Hamas strongholds in densely built-up areas of Gaza City. Israel appears to be using at least one cemetery as a temporary base for military vehicles.
Israeli military vehicles destroyed dozens of graves in early December at a smaller cemetery, next to an existing Israeli position half a mile northwest of the Tunisian cemetery. a video A release issued by the Israeli army on Sunday shows that soldiers are apparently involved in fighting in the area.
On the same day, satellite images in Gaza City’s Jabaliya neighborhood showed new tracks and possible military vehicles at the Al-Faluja cemetery. Later video footage shows damage to graves, but no established military positions.
A possible military position was set up at a cemetery in Beit Hanoun, also in northern Gaza.
No military vehicles can be seen in Sunday’s satellite image, but similar earthen fortifications are similar to those set up by Israeli forces in dozens of places in Gaza. These protective positions have only been used for a limited period as the ground offensive moves deeper into Gaza.
The other cemeteries razed by Israeli forces, according to The Times, were in Sheik Ijlin, a neighborhood in Gaza City, and Beit Lahia, a town in the far north of Gaza.