Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli warplanes launch strikes on regions of al-Mahmoudiyah, al-Khardali
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli aircraft execute series of strikes in Kfar Tibnit, South Lebanon.
Iranian ambassador in Beijing to Al Mayadeen: We hope that Europe and the US give up their illegal actions and authoritarian hegemony.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli shelling targets displaced persons' tent in Al-Mawasi, Khan Younis, casualties were reported
IOF storm Jalazone camp, north of Al Bireh city in the occupied West Bank
Israeli media: A severe incident reported in Gaza some time ago
Israeli media: Military evacuation helicopters are transporting injured soldiers from Khan Younis
Israeli media: A security incident has been reported in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip
The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps - Quds Force announces the martyrdom of the head of the Palestine Unit Brigadier General Mohammad Said Izadi.
Sayyed Khamenei: The idea of Iran's surrender is laughable to the wise, for the Iranian people are strong and will remain strong, proud, and honorable.

In an act of 'domicide', 'Israel' wholly destroyed 3 Gazan quarters

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: The Guardian
  • 30 Jan 2024 15:09
  • 13 Shares
6 Min Read

An investigation by The Guardian reveals the magnitude of Israeli destruction in Beit Hanoun, al-Zahra, and Khan Yunis.

  • x
  •  Palestinians walk through destruction in Gaza City on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023 (AP)
    Palestinians walk through destruction in Gaza City on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023 (AP)

The Guardian revealed findings from their full-scale investigation of the destruction of Gaza as a result of the Israeli genocide. 

General findings found that in the three focal neighborhoods of the investigation, at least 250 residential buildings, 17 schools and universities, and 16 mosques were leveled to the ground. The numbers prompted experts to label the genocide as a "domicide" as it not only forces Palestinians out of their homes or shelters but also makes it impossible for them to return to them.

"Israel" defends its unrestrained attacks on Gaza by blaming the whole situation on Hamas. It claims that Hamas infiltrates civilian areas, domestic homes, and complexes, something that has been repeatedly refuted, which "authorizes" the bombing of the entirety of the Strip. 

On January 17, another study of satellite images obtained by Corey Scher of the City University of New York and Jamon Van Den Hoek of Oregon State University showed that 50 to 62 percent of all buildings in Gaza have been destroyed. 

The Guardian's investigation focuses on three Gazan towns: Beit Hanoun, al-Zahra, and Khan Yunis.

Read more: Israeli bombing of Gaza most destructive in recent history: Experts

Beit Hanoun

Beit Hanoun is a town to the northeast of Gaza and was home to 50,000 Palestinians before "Israel" demolished it. 

Beit Hanoun was also surrounded by agricultural land used for produce, but satellite images showed that those have been obliterated as well, making them a significant part of the 39% of agricultural lands in north Gaza that "Israel" destroyed. 

An entire neighborhood, consisting of 150 residential buildings has been pulverized. This includes the Balsam Hospital and local schools, including a United Nations one, while the main hospital, Beit Hanoun Hospital, was severely damaged. 

Moreover, the local cemetery was razed by bulldozers, and one of the oldest mosques, Umm al-Nasr, dating back to 1239, was also damaged. 

Israeli soldiers celebrating after blowing up three UNRWA schools in Beit Hanoun. This is heartbreaking…🇵🇸💔 pic.twitter.com/9DrCLvQNh2

— Pelham (@Resist_05) December 12, 2023

Al-Zahra

Al-Zahra was home to 5,000 Palestinians before the genocide and was regarded as one of Gaza's wealthiest neighborhoods. 

Within its northern infrastructure were universities, tower blocks, and a large wastewater treatment plant. "Israel" destroyed everything and forged new bulldozed roads over the ravaged ones for the transportation of IOF soldiers. 

Related News

'Israel' kills 80 in Gaza, 65 of whom gunned down in aid site

Gaza death toll surges to 55,432 killed, 128,923 injured

In its east is al-Mughraqa neighborhood, which has seen relentless Israeli bombardment that left nothing but a visible crater where a building once stood. 

The Turkish Palestinian Friendship Hospital stood in al-Zahra as well, but several of its departments had been bombed, and the roads leading to it are riddled with large holes where Israeli bombs exploded. 

Al-Zahra's three universities were also targeted by "Israel". Al-Israa University was detonated by "Israel" in documented deliberation. 

The israelis blow up the only surviving university, Al Israa, in Palestine’s Gaza — but the spineless US “spokesperson” is ‘hesitant’ to comment pic.twitter.com/irokjUQMig

— Sarah Wilkinson (@swilkinsonbc) January 20, 2024

Over 3,000 Palestinian civilians resided in the tower blocks of al-Zahra, all of which were decimated to the ground. 

Khan Younis

Khan Yunis is Gaza's main city and was sold as a "safe zone" by the IOF, who encouraged Palestinian civilians to evacuate there for safety but ambushed and bombed them and the town. 

Among the destroyed infrastructure were residential buildings, schools, sports compounds, mosques, pharmacies, kindergartens, agricultural fields, and greenhouses. To be specific, over 100 greenhouses were bombed, leaving only large craters behind. 

Khan Yunis also had a refugee camp that sheltered at least 41,000 people back in 2017 after they were forcibly expelled from their homes. The camp was also targeted by the IOF, resulting in damage to UN shelters and schools, as well as its hospital. 

The israeli destruction of Khan Younis today: these are people’s homes & land & livelihoods & dreams, blown to bits by israeli invading savages pic.twitter.com/A22juhXlOe

— Sarah Wilkinson (@swilkinsonbc) January 7, 2024

What is domicide? 

By definition, domicide is “the planned, deliberate destruction of someone's home, causing suffering to the dweller."

Scholars have opted to use this word when describing the Israeli conduct in Gaza, saying the forced displacement of Palestinians and the bombing of different infrastructure, which renders most neighborhoods and towns uninhabitable, not just buildings and homes, is a direct consequence of the practice of "domicide". 

What "Israel" has been doing is a full-blown attack on Gaza to rid it of its rightful residents, either by killing them or by forcing them to evacuate to nearby countries, such as Egypt. 

The scale of destruction adds to the fact. Balakrishnan Rajagopal, the UN special rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, said, "Gaza’s destruction is far worse in terms of the scale, ferocity and impact when compared to Ukraine, Syria or other conflicts."

Ammar Azzouz, a research fellow at the University of Oxford and author of a book on domicide, also said, “Domicide’s impact unfolds with time. Its pain spreads not only across those who lost their homes in Gaza but also for those whose homes remain intact as their wider infrastructure has been targeted.”

He also pointed out how The Guardian's investigation and the footage obtained show the weaponization of Gaza's architecture and infrastructure by "Israel" to create unsuitable and uninhabitable spaces, as well as its heritage sites to erase its identity. 

Other scholars mentioned how the destruction of these towns and cities kills any sense of life, which might push people away. 

Marin Coward, professor of international politics at Queen Mary University of London, said, "If you can’t shop or learn, you can’t form a sense of belonging or call a place home."

He then added, “The destruction of homes plays a key role in both the displacement – communities cannot return if they have no home to return to – and the destruction of communities, as homes are destroyed and families displaced so all the things that make a community cohesive are destroyed and they are scattered to many different places.”

  • genocide in Gaza
  • Palestine
  • Israel
  • Khan Younis
  • Al-Zahra
  • Gaza
  • Beit Hanoun
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends a protest following the US attacks on nuclear sites in Iran, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

Iran declares victory as ceasefire forces Israeli retreat

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025
Iran launches strikes on Israeli targets, despite alleged ceasefire

Iran victorious as ceasefire with 'Israel' takes effect

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Iranian worshippers carry their country's flags in a protest to condemn Israeli attacks on multiple cities across Iran, after the Friday prayers ceremony in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 20, 2025. (AP)

Iran warns of NPT withdrawal, Strait of Hormuz closure after US attack

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The commander of the Quds Force's Palestine Unit, Brigadier General Mohammad Said Izadi (Illustrated by Mahdi Rtail for Al Mayadeen English)
Politics

Who was Mohammad Said Izadi, head of the Quds Force's Palestine Unit?

Hezbollah's now-Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon, July 2, 2024 (AP)
Politics

Sheikh Qassem praises Iran resilience in face of 'Israel', US

Al Houthi: Overthrowing Islamic Republic impossible
US & Canada

Sayyed Al Houthi: Overthrowing Islamic Republic of Iran impossible

Reproductive violence used as genocide tool in Gaza: UN
Politics

Reproductive violence used as genocide tool in Gaza: UN

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS