Satellite imagery and videos shared on social media reveal that entire neighborhoods, including homes, schools, and mosques, have been unlawfully demolished, displacing thousands of families.

International humanitarian law stipulates that the destruction of civilian property is only permissible when required by imperative military necessity, which Amnesty argues was not met in these cases.

Moreover, videos shared by Israeli soldiers depict celebratory behavior during the demolitions, indicating a lack of imminent threat at the time of destruction.

The systematic destruction across various Gaza communities, particularly in Shuja’iya and Al-Bureij, underscores a targeted approach to civilian infrastructure.

In light of these findings, Amnesty International has called for investigations into the actions of the Israeli military, citing evidence of potential war crimes related to collective punishment and wanton destruction.

Amnesty International has reported extensive destruction of homes and agricultural land in eastern Gaza, attributing this devastation to the Israeli military's campaign to expand a buffer zone, which raises concerns about potential war crimes.

In Khuza’a, significant destruction was documented, with over 850 structures destroyed between late November 2023 and early January 2024, following the ground invasion by Israeli forces.

Reports indicate that over 90% of buildings within the expanded buffer zone, which spans approximately 58 square kilometers, have been destroyed or severely damaged, affecting more than 20 square kilometers of agricultural land.

Residents from the affected areas have shared testimonies about the loss of homes, orchards, and livelihoods, highlighting the detrimental impact on food production in Gaza.

The Israeli military has defended these demolitions as necessary for security in response to attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023, claiming to target terrorist infrastructure.

However, Amnesty's investigation found that many demolitions occurred after Israeli forces had established operational control over the areas, suggesting they were not a result of active combat.

These actions by the Israeli military, including the destruction of civilian property, are argued to violate international humanitarian law, which prohibits wanton destruction and collective punishment.