DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The Israel-Hamas war, now nearing a potential ceasefire , has devastated the Gaza Strip. Satellite photos offer some sense of the destruction in the territory, which has been largely sealed off to journalists and others.

Gaza has suffered vast destruction with a colossal humanitarian impact. More than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed during Israel's military action, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, and much infrastructure across the strip has been levelled by air strikes.

The Israel-Hamas ceasefire goes into effect at 8:30 am local time (0630 GMT). According to the plan, three woman hostages are to be released after 4 pm.

New satellite photos have revealed the widespread destruction caused by Israeli strikes in Gaza, amid renewed hope that a ceasefire deal will end the deadly 15 month war. The images show Gaza City in June 2023 and January 2023.

CAIRO: Palestinian militant group Hamas has been significantly battered by 15 months of war in Gaza but has not suffered the eradication that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intended, experts say.