A Palestinian official has said the Israeli military’s recent “genocide and ethnic cleansing” have left 80 per cent of northern Gaza in ruins.

Areas like the Jabalia refugee camp, Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahia have suffered near-total destruction, Deputy Minister of Public Works and Housing in Gaza Naji Sarhan told Anadolu.

“The devastation is absolute, affecting homes, streets and infrastructure, making northern Gaza uninhabitable,” Sarhan said.

During a press conference in Jabalia, Imad Badwan, the head of Beit Hanoun Municipality, declared northern Gaza a disaster zone. He detailed the destruction of roads, water and sewage networks and critical infrastructure, including hospitals, schools and UNRWA facilities that served as shelters.

“Israel’s offensive caused the death or disappearance of over 5,000 people and injured around 13,000, with more than 200,000 displaced,” Badwan said.

Opinion

Editorial

A new deal
Updated 16 Jun, 2026

A new deal

AFTER three and a half months of war between US-Israel and Iran and an acrimonious temporary ceasefire, a genuine...
Charter of economy
16 Jun, 2026

Charter of economy

NO one expected the PTI to accept the government’s invitation to sign a charter of economy; just as few expected...
Hostage seamen
16 Jun, 2026

Hostage seamen

SOME 50 days on, 11 Pakistani nationals are still in Somali pirates’ captivity. Their appeals to the Pakistani and...
Climate choices
Updated 15 Jun, 2026

Climate choices

The country is confronting increasingly volatile weather patterns with consequences for agriculture, infrastructure, public health and economic planning.
Brief opening
15 Jun, 2026

Brief opening

WE have been here before. Throughout the weekend, there was great anticipation that a tentative framework for peace...
Environmental disaster
15 Jun, 2026

Environmental disaster

IT was a heartbreaking sight. A recent news report in these pages carried a picture of a sea turtle lying half ...