Gaza on Christmas Eve: Footage Reveals Israeli Demolition Campaign in Rafah
Verified footage documents large-scale Israeli demolitions in southern Gaza and widespread destruction across the north despite the ceasefire
Palestine, PUREWILAYAH.COM - Verified video footage circulating on social media has documented a large-scale Israeli demolition campaign in Rafah, despite the ceasefire agreement that has been in effect for more than two months.
The footage shows powerful explosions leveling residential areas in Rafah, confirming the continuation of systematic destruction by Israeli occupation forces against civilian neighborhoods in the Gaza Strip.
Rafah Demolitions Caught on Video
The video was published by Palestinian journalist Younis Tirawi, who specializes in monitoring Israeli soldiers’ accounts and documenting violations committed by the occupation. Commenting on the footage, Tirawi wrote:
“Gaza on Christmas Eve: the Israeli army is blowing up the homes of displaced Palestinian families today — a reminder that the ceasefire has been in force for more than two months.”
The scenes contradict Israeli claims of restraint under the ceasefire and instead show an ongoing campaign of erasure targeting areas already devastated by months of war.
Digital Verification Confirms Location
According to digital verification conducted by the fact-checking team at Al Jazeera, the demolition took place in the Al-Zuhur neighborhood, north of Rafah, at coordinates 31°18’9.14″N 34°15’58.27″E.
While the exact moment of the explosion could not be conclusively determined from the footage alone, satellite imagery reviewed from December 13 to December 24 shows an intensive Israeli military presence in the area. The imagery reveals extensive bulldozing and demolition operations, with ground-scarring patterns matching those visible in the video, reinforcing the assessment that the blast occurred within the past 24 hours.
Explosions Heard Across Gaza
Field reports from journalists inside Gaza confirmed hearing massive explosions north of Rafah at approximately 11:00 PM, coinciding with similar Israeli demolition activity in Khan Younis and east of Gaza City.
These synchronized operations point to a coordinated demolition campaign rather than isolated incidents.
Northern Gaza Reduced to Rubble
In parallel, an Israeli journalist released new footage from northern Gaza, revealing near-total destruction in Jabalia and the Tal al-Zaatar area. Filmed during a guided media tour alongside Israeli soldiers, the reporter stated:
“You can see the destruction behind me. Almost everything here is completely destroyed… the hospital is the only building still standing.”
Geographic verification confirmed that the footage was filmed from a newly established Israeli military outpost on Tal al-Zaatar hill, overlooking the Indonesian Hospital. The analysis also showed that the Indonesian Hospital and the remnants of Al-Awda Hospital stand as some of the only remaining structures amid vast areas flattened by months of demolition.
The scale of destruction has laid bare the boundaries of Beit Lahia, a visual reality that did not exist prior to the war due to dense residential development.
Ceasefire Violated in Practice
Despite the ceasefire announced under a plan proposed by Donald Trump, Israeli forces continue to demolish large swathes of residential neighborhoods across Gaza. Ongoing destruction has been reported in eastern Jabalia, Shuja’iyya, Tuffah, Khan Younis, and Rafah.
The documented demolitions underscore that the ceasefire exists largely in name only. On the eve of Christmas, Gaza once again witnessed the continuation of Israel’s campaign of destruction, displacement, and collective punishment — carried out openly, systematically, and in full view of the world. (PW)
Source: Palinfo