Earlier this week, several viral social media posts and news articles stated that Google had updated satellite imagery over Gaza. But the images weren't entirely new.

This article has interactive before and after images that you can look at.

Earlier this week, several viral social media posts and news articles stated that Google had updated satellite imagery over Gaza.

The imagery shared in these posts and articles shows several areas, including the southern city of Rafah. Huge destruction is detailed in the images, including what appears to be entire neighbourhoods flattened

But the imagery wasn’t entirely new.

A Google spokesperson told Bellingcat that they regularly updated third-party satellite images and that the latest Gaza imagery had actually been available since June 2026.

Bellingcat has access to satellite imagery from commercial space company Planet Labs, which shows further destruction in Rafah after the June Google update.

The Planet Labs imagery also gives insight into destruction further north in Gaza as recently as September.

  • Rat_in_a_hat@lemmy.caEnglish
    121·
    2 days ago

    Not to downplay the amount of destruction, but this is after the US and Israel both bombed the Gaza strip in 2014 and didn’t allow enough material back inside to rebuild.

    So this is how Gaza is going to look for decades because of the US backed Israeli blockade that literally counts how many calories go into Gaza.

    The genocide has been constant for decades.

      • Rat_in_a_hat@lemmy.caEnglish
        3·
        2 days ago

        Hi! You’re right, I misunderstood some of the context that was being discussed in a Q&A from a panel session with Dr Feroze Sidhwa (one of the doctors from the documentary American Doctor).

        They described the 2008-2009 assault (not 2014) as US and Israeli led. The context from that part is that the US provided a ton of logistical, material, and political support (blaming Hamas when Israel broke the ceasefire, passing unanimous motions in the House for arms shipments, opposing calls for an immediate ceasefire).

        • mojofrododojo@lemmy.worldEnglish
          2·
          2 days ago

          yeah I’ll never doubt the US supplied the weapons and aircraft and gas and bullets and oil to lubricate all of the above to israel - basically everything except for pulling the trigger… fml