Now the English version of Wikipedia qualifies several cities in Gaza, such as Rafah, Beit Hanoun, Al-Qarya as-Suwaidiya, and Um al-Nasr, as "former" places, implying the use of the past tense. This wording carries the danger of normalizing erasure, suggesting that these settlements have lost their existence in a significant context. Such an approach can be seen as an acknowledgment of genocide and depopulation as a definitive fact, as reported by TRT.
Supporters of the amendments refer to satellite data and UN reports, indicating that over 90% of the infrastructure in these cities has been destroyed, and their residents have either been completely evacuated or deported. They argue that these settlements no longer function as administrative units.
On the other hand, opponents of such amendments emphasize that a city is not just buildings, but also the right of its residents to return. By referring to cities as "former," Wikipedia effectively "erases" them from the map before their status is confirmed by international law.
The article "Cities of Gaza" on Wikipedia characterized as "former" was first published on K-News.
