Amid Israel-Palestine conflict, Gaza appears blurry on Google Maps; read why

Amid ongoing Israel-Palestine violence, researchers have raised concern about blurry satellite images of region on Google Maps as this makes it difficult for m to identify buildings. As per a Google blog post, company claims that it aims to update satellite imagery of places “that are changing most”. satellite and aerial photographs available in Google Maps and Google Earth are sourced from many different providers. This also includes state agencies, geological survey organizations and commercial imagery providers. 

Why are re blurry images?

“In parts of world where re isn’t an established aerial survey market, we rely on satellites. With aerial surveys, we get very high-quality images that are sharp enough to create detailed maps. Satellites produce lower-quality imagery, but are still helpful because y provide global coverage”, re blog.

Matt Manolides, Google’s Geo Data Strategist, explains, “We aim to update satellite imagery of places that are changing most”. Citing example of ‘sunken ships’, he tries and explains that sometimes way images are collected can create optical illusions.

Also, Google said that its images come from a range of providers and it considers ‘opportunities’ to refresh satellite imagery as higher-resolution imagery becomes available. Aric Toler, a journalist for Bellingcat took to her official Twitter handle and wrote, “ most recent Google Earth image is from 2016 and looks like trash. I zoomed in on some random rural area of Syria and it has h 20+ images taken since that time, in very high resolution”. She also shared images of most recent, highest-resolution satellite image available on Google Earth for Gaza City along with most recent image for Donetsk.

What is happening?

latest clashes in city began during holy month of Raman, a month ago, after Israeli soldiers blocked Palestinian garings at an alrey heightened time of religious sensitivities. While Israel cited COVID protocols as reason and those restrictions were slowly lifted, tensions rose again after several dozens of Palestinian settlements in east Jerusalem faced eviction notices and threats from government. Amid this, terrorist group Hamas which controls Gaza began firing unending volleys of rockets at Israel, to which Israel replied via aerial bombardment of purported Hamas installations, and by targeting Hamas leers. This counter-offensive h caused deaths of over 200 people as of Monday night in Gaza, whereas 10 people, including an Indian, have died in Israel.  

(Image Credits: Twitter/AricToler)