Oscar-winning actress and former UN goodwill ambassador Angelina Jolie has shared a series of before-and-after satellite images showing the scale of destruction across Gaza after nearly three years of war.
On Saturday, October 4, Jolie posted Google Earth images on Instagram and X, showing neighbourhoods across the enclave before and after widespread destruction. The images quickly drew attention online, with many people expressing shock at the extent of the damage.
Entire Neighbourhoods Reduced to Rubble
The satellite images show large areas where homes, roads, and other buildings once stood, highlighting the scale of destruction across Gaza.
“Whole neighbourhoods have been reduced to rubble. Homes, schools, universities, hospitals, roads, water and sanitation systems, infrastructure that people depended on to survive have been damaged or destroyed.”
Updated imagery appeared online last week, though Google has not said when it was published or made available.
82% of Buildings Damaged
Jolie also pointed to the scale of the destruction using figures from a UN report, noting that 82 percent of buildings in Gaza had been damaged as of June 16, 2026.
The satellite images offer a visual look at what those numbers mean on the ground, showing entire neighbourhoods transformed by the destruction.
Millions Still Need Shelter
Beyond the destruction itself, Jolie highlighted the urgent humanitarian needs facing people in Gaza, calling for faster aid and shelter ahead of winter.
She stated that 1.98 million people, or 94 percent of Gaza’s population, need shelter and basic supplies, while aid trucks continue to face delays and restrictions.
“What it cannot show is what it means to live among it, what happened to the families who were killed, and what life is like for those who survived.”
Jolie Has Previously Visited the Rafah Crossing
Jolie’s post comes months after she visited the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing on January 2, 2026, where she met with Egyptian Red Crescent workers and other humanitarian groups.
During the visit, she toured warehouses holding humanitarian supplies, including medical goods, and saw the long line of trucks waiting to enter Gaza.
At the time, Jolie called on leaders to maintain the ceasefire and ensure that medical supplies and fuel could reach people in Gaza as quickly as possible.
While satellite imagery can show the physical scale of Gaza’s destruction, Jolie’s post also pointed to the human reality behind the images: families who have lost their homes, loved ones, and access to necessities.
Her call comes as humanitarian groups continue to stress the need for shelter, essential supplies, and faster access for aid as winter approaches.
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