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Imagery
Items filed under this tag, newest first, across issues.
Issue 02
Satellite images of tree felling at East Potomac Golf Links
Bellingcat compares Planet Labs imagery of East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, DC, from 8 and 13 October. The later scene shows large cleared sections after reports that 430 trees were cut down over the weekend of 10 October. That felling prompted an emergency court hearing on 12 October, which barred further changes until later in the month.
Why it matters
The 8 October and 13 October scenes show the cleared ground after the weekend felling.
Issue 01
Viral Google Maps images of Gaza were not the newest view
Posts treated a Google Maps refresh as new satellite imagery of destruction in Gaza, including Rafah. Google told Bellingcat the Airbus scenes had been online since June and were captured in February 2026. Planet Labs imagery from September shows demolitions that continued after that date, in Rafah, Bani Suheila, Shujaiya, and Jabaliya. For dating a basemap, the capture date is the one that counts.
Why it matters
Google told Bellingcat the Airbus scenes had been online since June and were captured in February 2026. The capture date is the one that counts.