The Gaza Strip has experienced catastrophic changes before and after the recent conflict that began with Hamas's cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, and lasted about 15 months until a ceasefire in early 2025. Before the war, Gaza was densely populated with about 2.2 million residents living mainly in four cities—Gaza City, Rafah, Khan Younis, and Deir al-Balah. Although under severe economic strain due to an Israeli-Egyptian blockade and poverty affecting two-thirds of the population, Gaza still had functioning hospitals, schools, shops, and agricultural areas. After the conflict, Gaza is largely devastated. Around 60% of buildings, including homes, hospitals, schools, mosques, and infrastructure, have been damaged or destroyed. Entire districts, especially in Gaza City and northern Gaza, have been reduced to rubble. The war caused massive displacement, with nearly the whole population forced to move, often multiple times. Gaza's economy contracted by 86% in early 2024, pushing nearly 100% of the population into poverty. Many hospitals are partially functioning or destroyed, and critical facilities such as Gaza City's al-Shifa hospital were left in ruins. Agricultural lands and urban centers have also been heavily damaged, with the rebuilding projected to take decades. Photographs, satellite imagery, and drone videos show stark contrasts between vibrant, populated neighborhoods before the war and flattened, empty areas after, highlighting the scale of destruction and humanitarian crisis still ongoing in Gaza.

Before the War

• Gaza was densely populated with a population of about 2.2 million.
• It had hospitals, schools, and active economic and agricultural sectors despite poverty and blockade.
• Main cities included Gaza City with 775,000 residents, Rafah, Khan Younis, and Deir al-Balah.
• Infrastructure and daily life, though under strain, were normally functioning.

After the War

• About 60% of buildings damaged or destroyed, including residential, medical, educational, and religious structures.
• Massive displacement of Gaza's population, with large tent cities formed.
• Economy collapsed, with an 86% contraction and near-total poverty.
• Hospitals severely damaged; many non-functional or partially functional.
• Gaza City neighborhoods like Zeitoun and Shujayea heavily bombed and razed.
• Agricultural lands, including strawberry fields in Beit Lahiya, destroyed.
• Rebuilding and recovery projected to take decades, possibly centuries without growth acceleration.

This comprehensive before-and-after picture underscores the extensive humanitarian, economic, and infrastructural devastation Gaza has experienced due to the prolonged conflict [{}][{}][{}][{}][{}].