The Israeli military has intensified its assault on Gaza City, destroying a high-rise tower in a densely populated area and warning of further attacks on multi-story buildings.
The Israeli Defence Minister, Israel Katz, declared that the “gates of hell are opening now” in Gaza, warning that they will not be closed until Hamas “accepts Israel’s conditions for ending the war – led by the release of all the hostages and disarmament”.
According to Hind Khoudary, reporting from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, the building that was destroyed was one of the biggest high-rises in the heart of Gaza City.
“Israeli forces hit it with two air strikes – the first was a warning and then it was hit again with another F-16 strike,” she said.
The management of the Mushtaha Tower has denied Israeli claims that the high-rise was being used by Hamas fighters, stating that the site was only accessible to displaced people.
The attack on the tower has triggered chaos in the area, with a number of civilians wounded and transported to al-Shifa Hospital to receive emergency treatment.
Tareq Abu Azzoum, also reporting from Deir el-Balah, said, “The shock wave of the attack spread over the entire area, triggering chaos. A number of makeshift tents have been affected by the attack, which signals a new phase of the Israeli military campaign.”
The Israeli military’s assault on Gaza City has resulted in significant civilian casualties and displacement.
At least 44 people were killed across Gaza on Friday, with at least seven children killed in attacks in Gaza City alone.
Palestinians have begun heading south due to the attacks in Gaza City, with tents filling up in az-Zawayda, al-Mawasi, Khan Younis, and Deir el-Balah. Khoudary said, “Palestinians must either survive by going south or stay in Gaza City – and we do not know what’s going to happen if they stay. There’s fear and desperation here.”
Military analyst Elijah Magnier told newsmen that Israel is targeting high-rise buildings in Gaza to minimize its potential troop casualties when they advance on the ground, while also spreading “panic and fear” among the civilian population. “It also has a psychological advantage,” he noted.
“Destroying the skyline creates shock, disorientation, fear, and panic among civilians” who have “no visibility of the future or when this war will end”. “This is a preparation to occupy Gaza City,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hamas released a video of two Israeli captives seized from a music festival in Israel in October 2023. Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Alon Ohel are two of 48 people still being held by Hamas in Gaza, with 20 thought to be still alive.
The video was edited and featured an exhausted-looking Gilboa-Dalal speaking for around three-and-a-half minutes, saying he is being held in Gaza City along with several other captives and that he is afraid of being killed by Israel’s offensive on the city.
After the release of the video, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid urged Israeli negotiators to resume truce talks on a deal to secure the captives.