Satellite image gives rare look at Israeli maneuvers inside Gaza

A New York Times report, based on new satellite images from Planet Labs, appears to offer a unique view of IDF maneuvers in the northwest Gaza Strip.

The large-scale image captured yesterday shows tracks made by tanks entering Gaza from the north and moving south along the coast toward the densely populated suburbs north of Gaza City, and what appears to be a staging area with dozens of armored vehicles in a former field.

The ground is seen pocked with craters from missile or rocket strikes, and buildings can be seen reduced to rubble.

The report provides a rare independent view of what Israel’s limited ground incursion into Gaza looks like, with journalists unable to enter Gaza and information tightly controlled by the military.

While a report claims that the military said Israeli ground forces were striking Hamas fighters inside tunnels, the military has only said that underground bunkers were among sites targeted in the past day by air, naval and ground forces. It has claimed to target underground fortifications throughout the fighting.