Israeli Offensive in Gaza's Rafah Destroys 80% of Buildings, Over 52,000 Dead; UNRWA Schools in East Jerusalem Closed, Affecting 800 Children

As of May 8, 2025, Israeli military operations in Rafah, southern Gaza, have destroyed about 80% of the city's buildings as part of the 'Gideon’s Chariots' campaign. The death toll in Gaza has exceeded 52,760, mostly women and children. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities closed six UNRWA schools, affecting 800 Palestinian children. These actions have intensified the conflict's military and civil aspects, drawing international criticism for potential violations of international humanitarian law.

Rafah: A City Reduced to Rubble

Rafah, once a densely populated urban center in southern Gaza, now lies in ruins. According to satellite analysis conducted by the Geographic Information Systems Center at the Hebrew University and published by Israeli Channel 12, nearly 80% of Rafah’s buildings have been destroyed since the beginning of intensified Israeli operations in early 2024. The destruction is concentrated around the Philadelphi Corridor, a strategic strip along the Egyptian border, and has expanded steadily through March and April 2025.

In March alone, approximately 1,100 buildings were leveled, marking the highest monthly destruction rate in Gaza during the conflict. By May, only the northernmost neighborhoods of Rafah remained standing, accounting for the remaining 20% of the city’s infrastructure. The rest has been flattened by airstrikes, artillery shelling, and ground incursions.

The military campaign, officially titled “Gideon’s Chariots,” was approved by Israel’s security cabinet and is aimed at achieving full military control over Gaza. The plan includes the displacement of civilians, the destruction of remaining infrastructure, and the establishment of a “sterile zone” for humanitarian aid distribution under foreign private security.

Human Cost: Over 52,000 Dead

The human toll of the war is staggering. According to Gaza’s health authorities and corroborated by multiple international sources, more than 52,760 people have been killed since the war began on October 7, 2023. The majority of the victims are women and children. In the past 24 hours alone, 106 people were reported killed in Rafah, underscoring the intensity of the ongoing assault.

The destruction of Rafah is not isolated. Other areas such as Jabalia in the north and Khan Younis in the south have also suffered extensive damage. The cumulative effect has rendered large swaths of Gaza uninhabitable, with nearly 90% of the population displaced and essential services, including healthcare and sanitation, virtually non-existent.

Strategic Infrastructure and Isolation

In addition to the widespread destruction of residential areas, satellite images have revealed the construction of the “Morag Highway,” an 8-kilometer road designed to isolate Rafah from the rest of Gaza. As of late April, only 5 kilometers remained to connect the road to the Mediterranean coast. This infrastructure project is seen as part of Israel’s broader strategy to fragment Gaza and control movement within the enclave.

The Israeli government has designated Rafah as a relocation zone for civilians, but the scale of destruction and lack of basic services have made it an increasingly untenable refuge. Field hospitals operated by the International Committee of the Red Cross have reached their capacity, and humanitarian aid remains severely restricted.

UNRWA Schools Closed in East Jerusalem

While the military campaign in Gaza intensifies, Israeli authorities have also taken steps to curtail Palestinian civil infrastructure in East Jerusalem. On May 8, 2025, armed Israeli forces enforced the closure of six schools operated by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in the Shuafat refugee camp.

According to UNRWA, approximately 800 children aged six to fifteen were affected by the closures. One staff member was reportedly detained during the operation, which the agency described as a “traumatizing experience” for the students. Videos from the scene showed young girls in school uniforms hugging each other in distress as they were sent home.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini condemned the closures, stating that “storming schools and forcing them shut is a blatant disregard of international law.” He emphasized that these schools are protected under the UN General Assembly mandate and called on Israeli authorities to reverse the decision.

The closures follow a January 2025 Israeli law banning UNRWA operations within its territory, including East Jerusalem. The move has drawn international criticism, with the UK, EU, Norway, Switzerland, Turkey, and Japan expressing strong opposition and solidarity with the affected students and teachers.

Legal and Humanitarian Implications

The closure of UNRWA schools and the destruction in Rafah have raised serious concerns among international legal and humanitarian organizations. Under international humanitarian law, Israel is obligated to protect civilian infrastructure and ensure access to education and medical care. The targeting of schools and hospitals, as well as the forced displacement of civilians, may constitute violations of the Geneva Conventions.

Despite mounting international pressure, including calls from the European Union to comply with International Court of Justice rulings, the Israeli government has continued its military and administrative actions unabated. The situation in Gaza and East Jerusalem remains dire, with no immediate resolution in sight.

Israeli Offensive in Gaza's Rafah Destroys 80% of Buildings, Over 52,000 Dead; UNRWA Schools in East Jerusalem Closed, Affecting 800 Children

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