“Nowhere and No One Is Safe”: Spatial Analysis of Damage to Critical Civilian Infrastructure in the Gaza Strip During the First Phase of the Israeli Military Campaign, 7 October to 22 November 2023 - Asi, David Mills, P. Gregg Greenough, Dennis Kunichoff, Saira Khan, Jamon Van Den Hoek, Corey Scher, Saleem Halabi, Sawsan Abdulrahim, Nadine Bahour, A. Kayum Ahmed, Bram Wispelwey, and Weeam Hammoudeh (2024)

This study uses satellite imagery and spatial analysis to examine damage to health, education, and water infrastructure in Gaza during the first 46 days of the war. The authors assess whether patterns of destruction were random or clustered around protected civilian facilities.

1. Damage to Civilian Infrastructure Was Extensive

2. Damage Was Not Randomly Distributed

3. Health Facilities Were Frequently Damaged

4. Schools and Universities Were Major Sites of Damage

5. Water Infrastructure Was Heavily Affected

6. Evacuation Routes and Safe Zones Were Not Fully Protected

7. The Findings Raise Serious International Humanitarian Law Questions

⭐ Top Star Facts

1. Over Two-Thirds of Schools Were Damaged

The study found that 68.2% of educational facilities in Gaza were damaged within the first 46 days of the war, and 40.2% were functionally destroyed.

2. More Than 60% of Health Facilities Were Damaged

Of the 97 health facilities examined, 60.8% sustained damage and 35.1% were functionally destroyed. In North Gaza, 88.2% of health facilities were damaged.

3. The Damage Was Statistically Non-Random

Using Global Moran’s I spatial analysis, the researchers found that damage clustered around hospitals, schools, and water facilities with less than a 1% probability that the pattern occurred by chance.

4. More Than One-Third of Water Facilities Were Destroyed

The study found that 42.1% of water facilities were damaged and 36.8% were functionally destroyed, threatening access to drinking water and sanitation.

5. Safe Zones Were Not Untouched

Even in the southern areas where civilians were instructed to flee, 41.7% of health facilities and 47.1% of educational facilities sustained damage during the study period.