GAZA CITY (BN24) — Israeli airstrikes on Friday destroyed one of Gaza City’s tallest residential towers as the military intensified its campaign to seize control of the densely populated capital, sparking panic among civilians and raising fears of a broader ground occupation.
The Mushtaha Tower, a 12-story building surrounded by hundreds of makeshift tents, was reduced to rubble after two strikes — the first serving as a warning, followed by a second strike from an Israeli F-16 jet. The Israeli military said the building was being used as “Hamas infrastructure” to plan and carry out operations, though the tower’s management denied the claim, insisting it housed only displaced families.
Al Jazeera reporters said several civilians were wounded in the attack and rushed to al-Shifa Hospital. The shockwaves damaged nearby tents and sent crowds fleeing in panic. “The strike has triggered chaos across the entire area,” correspondent Tareq Abu Azzoum reported.
The assault comes as Israel issued evacuation orders for additional high-rises, including a 16-story complex with 65 residential units and ground-level shops. Another five-story building near a gas station and the YMCA was also ordered to be cleared.
Military analyst Elijah Magnier said Israel’s strategy of targeting high-rise towers was aimed at minimizing troop casualties during a ground push while also spreading fear. “Destroying the skyline creates shock, disorientation and panic among civilians,” he said. “This is a preparation to occupy Gaza City.”
Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin told reporters Israel now controls about 40% of Gaza City, including the Zeitoun and Sheikh Radwan neighborhoods. “The operation will continue to expand and intensify in the coming days,” he said.
The strikes killed at least 51 Palestinians across Gaza on Friday, including seven children in Gaza City. Displaced families have been pouring into southern areas such as Khan Younis, Deir el-Balah, al-Mawasi and az-Zawayda, though both Palestinian and UN officials warn no place in Gaza is safe.
Since the war began in October 2023, at least 64,231 Palestinians have been killed and more than 161,500 wounded, according to Gaza’s health authorities. In Israel, 1,139 people were killed in the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack that triggered the war, and around 200 were taken captive.
On Friday, Hamas released a video showing two Israeli captives — Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Alon Ohel — who were seized during the October 2023 music festival attack. In the footage, Gilboa-Dalal appears exhausted and says he fears being killed by Israeli strikes. Opposition leader Yair Lapid urged the government to resume truce talks following the video’s release, while tens of thousands of Israelis continue weekly protests demanding a deal to bring the captives home.
While Hamas has said it would accept a July proposal for a temporary ceasefire tied to partial prisoner releases, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the plan, insisting Hamas must release all captives and surrender.
Israel’s defense minister has described the offensive as the “opening of the gates of hell” in Gaza, signaling a new and more brutal phase of the war.
