The Israeli military has recently destroyed a high-rise building, known as the Sussi Tower, in Gaza City, marking the second such incident within two days. Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, shared a video of the tower’s collapse on social media, stating, “We’re continuing.” The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) allege the building was being used by Hamas, a claim that Hamas has denied.
Casualty reports following the strike have not been clarified. Prior to the attack, the IDF dropped leaflets urging residents to evacuate to what Israel designates as a humanitarian zone in the southern region. An IDF spokesman encouraged Palestinians to join others who have already moved to al-Mawasi, a specific area between Khan Younis and the coastline, promising medical care and essential supplies. However, the United Nations has reported that the tent camps in al-Mawasi are overcrowded and unsafe, with southern hospitals struggling to cope with the influx of displaced individuals.
Earlier, on Friday, the Mushtaha Tower in Gaza City was also destroyed, following an aerial assault. The IDF claimed that measures were taken to minimize civilian harm, such as issuing advance warnings. However, Palestinians have reported that displaced families had been residing in the Mushtaha Tower, prompting accusations from Gaza’s civil defense agency of forced displacement.
Overall, satellite imagery indicates that multiple neighborhoods across Gaza City have been severely damaged by Israeli airstrikes and demolitions over the past month. The towers in Gaza City, which have historical significance tied to the aspirations for Palestinian statehood, are part of a widespread strategy to accommodate a rapidly growing population, especially after the onset of the Oslo Accords in 1993.
In the context of this violence, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asserted plans to fully capture the Gaza Strip, following stalled ceasefire negotiations with Hamas. The UN has highlighted an urgent humanitarian crisis within Gaza, estimating that nearly one million people are still present in Gaza City, where famine conditions have been declared. Since the onset of hostilities on October 7, 2023, resulting from a Hamas-led attack, extensive casualties have been reported, with rising numbers due to malnutrition and starvation as well.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz9jpzql958o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss