Gaza: Over 1,000 buildings destroyed, 123,000 displaced by Israeli bombing

Israel’s bombardment of Gaza since Saturday has dealt a significant blow to civilian infrastructure in the enclave, with more than 1,000 buildings completely or partially destroyed, according to local officials.

Some 13 residential buildings containing 159 housing units have been destroyed in the bombing since Saturday. About 1,210 housing units were partially damaged, with 36 becoming uninhabitable.

More than 123,000 Gazans have been displaced by Israel's bombing campaign, the UN said early on Monday.

Gaza's exhausted healthcare system has come under fire during the assault that has killed almost 500 Palestinians, with healthcare facilities and ambulances damaged in the bombardment.

No longer is it reported in the news that the homes of helpless civilians are being bombed by Israeli occupying forces! In Gaza, the occupation is in charge of everything.#Gaza #FreePalastine #GazaUnderaAttack #Palestine #عملية_طوفان_الأقصي #غزة_تحت_القصف #طوفان_القدس pic.twitter.com/JkuH0SRwtY

— Dr.Samed Chart(444)🪐 (@SamedChart) October 9, 2023

Two mosques and 22 Palestinian government facilities have also been destroyed. 

Electricity supply lines feeding Gaza have also been disconnected by the Israeli forces. Gaza was already suffering from a severe electricity shortage long before Israel's latest bombing campaign on the territory, with its only operating power station only able to provide a fraction of the electricity needed.

Marouf said the fuel currently available to Gaza will last for only four more days, and its the current power station will cease operations entirely if crossings are not opened to allow essential fuel in.

Palestinian militants launched thousands of rockets from Gaza at Israeli cities on Saturday in a surprise attack dubbed the "Al-Aqsa Flood". 

Dozens of armed fighters infiltrated Israel's boundaries and managed to capture key points while killing at least 700 Israelis. At least 100 Israelis were captured and brought into Gaza for future prisoner exchanges.

Israel launched a brutal bombing campaign in response. It claims to have targeted military sites belonging to Hamas, the Islamist group ruling Gaza - but Gaza's health ministry has refuted the Israeli claim, saying that 95 per cent of the casualties were civilians. 

​Gaza has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007 that has severely restricted freedom of movement and access to medical care for the enclave's two million residents. Human rights groups have called Gaza an 'open air prison'.