83% of Gaza City structures damaged amid relentless Israeli attacks
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As Trump promises reconstruction, UN satellite images show massive destruction across Gaza City, with over 81,000 housing units damaged.
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Kidney patients sit amid the destruction caused by the Israeli occupation forces at Al-Shifa Hospital compound in Gaza City, on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, as they wait to leave after the facility suspended its dialysis unit services due to fuel shortages needed to power its generators (AP)
The United Nations warned that the Israeli war devastated Gaza City, further exacerbating an already severe humanitarian crisis. Furthermore, satellite imagery indicated widespread destruction across the city.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, citing the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), told a news conference that “many people are unable to leave the north due to insecurity” and described forcibly displaced Palestinians “sleeping out in the open and struggling to survive, amid severe food and shelter shortages.”
According to Dujarric, “Today, the UN Satellite Centre published a preliminary analysis showing that the extent of damage in Gaza City alone encompasses 83% of the structures. About 81,000 housing units have been damaged.”
On Tuesday, Israeli occupation forces intensified their campaign of destruction across Gaza City, carrying out massive demolitions and bombardments that have left entire neighborhoods in ruins and civilians trapped under siege.
According to Al Mayadeen's correspondent in the Gaza Strip, the IOF detonated three armored vehicles loaded with tonnes of explosives to destroy homes in the al-Maghribi area of the al-Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City. The explosions leveled several residential blocks and displaced dozens of families.
The correspondent added that Israeli forces conducted large-scale demolition operations in the al-Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City, while surrounding several neighborhoods where residents remain trapped, a situation humanitarian groups warn could turn catastrophic.
Read next: 90% of Gaza wiped out, 135,000 tents needed for shelter: Media Office
Trump proposes 'council of peace' to rebuild Gaza
In a separate development, US President Donald Trump outlined plans to rebuild Gaza through a regional initiative he called the “Council of Peace.” Speaking on Fox News’ Hannity, Trump described the initiative as “very powerful” and said it would play a central role in stabilizing and reconstructing the war-torn enclave.
“We’re forming a council, we think it’s going to be called the Council of Peace, and it’s going to be very powerful,” Trump said. He added that the body would oversee efforts to ensure that “people are going to be taken care of.”
Trump expressed optimism that Gaza could become “a much safer place,” noting that wealthy countries in the region were expected to help finance reconstruction. “Other countries in the area will help it reconstruct because they have tremendous amounts of wealth and they want to see that happen,” he said, pledging US support to make the effort “successful and peaceful.”
The president also highlighted the potential role of Iran in broader regional stability. “I believe Iran is going to be actually a part of the whole peace situation,” he said, linking his administration’s policies toward Tehran to future post-war recovery efforts in Gaza.
Hamas announces reaching an agreement for ceasefire in Gaza
During the early hours of October 9, the Palestinian Resistance movement Hamas announced that an agreement had been reached that would lead to a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
According to details declared by the group, its non-negotiables, which include the complete end of the war, the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces, the entry of humanitarian aid, and a prisoner exchange, have been realized.
Hamas expressed its appreciation to the mediators, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, for their efforts and contributions to achieving a ceasefire deal, and urged the United States to compel "Israel" to uphold its obligations as per the truce.
Hamas' statement also issued a heart-warming salute to the Palestinian people, from Gaza to al-Quds and the West Bank, and those outside the homeland, expressing immense gratitude to their unparalleled pride, heroism, and honor.
"We salute our people who confronted the fascist occupation projects that targeted them and their national rights. The great sacrifices and steadfastness of our people have thwarted the Israeli occupation’s plans of subjugation and displacement," the statement read.
Hamas lastly renewed its pledge to continue confronting the Israeli occupation, vowing "not to abandon our people's national rights until freedom, independence, and self-determination are achieved."
