In brief
In a significant escalation of military operations, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have destroyed the Sussi Tower in Gaza City, marking the second high-rise to be demolished within a 48-hour period. The IDF urged residents to evacuate to designated humanitarian zones, but reports suggest growing unrest and humanitarian concerns within overcrowded shelters in southern Gaza. With casualties still unknown from the latest demolition, the conflict continues to escalate after the Hamas-led attacks on Israel in October 2023.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has urged Palestinians to evacuate Gaza City, relocating to what it calls a humanitarian zone in the south as it continues its military offensive in the territory.On Saturday, for a second day running, the Israeli military destroyed a high-rise block, the Sussi Tower, in the enclave's largest urban area.Defence Minister Israel Katz posted video of the building collapsing on X, captioned We're continuing. It was not immediately clear whether there were any casualties.Israel said the tower was being used by Hamas, and that its military had taken measures to mitigate harm to civilians. Hamas denies it was using the tower.It comes as Israel expands its military operation in Gaza.Ahead of the attack on Sussi Tower, the Israeli air force had dropped leaflets ordering residents to leave. In a social media post, IDF Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee urged them to join the thousands of people who have already gone to al-Mawasi, an area between Khan Younis and the coastline in the south of the Gaza Strip.The IDF has repeatedly encouraged civilians to move there, saying medical care, water and food will be provided. However, the UN has said the tent camps in al-Mawasi are overcrowded and unsafe, and that southern hospitals are overwhelmed.On Tuesday, five children were killed while queuing for water in al-Mawasi. Witnesses said they were struck by an Israeli drone, an incident which the IDF said was under review.The Sussi Tower is the second high-rise to be destroyed in as many days. On Friday, social-media footage showed the Mushtaha Tower, in the city's al-Rimal neighbourhood, collapsing after a massive explosion at its base.The IDF said precautionary measures had been taken, including advance warnings to the population and the use of precise munitions. But Palestinians said displaced families had been sheltering in the building, and Gaza civil defence agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal accused Israel of enacting a policy of forced displacement.Satellite imagery shows several neighbourhoods in parts of the city have been levelled by Israeli strikes and demolitions over the past month.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Israel's intention to seize all of the Gaza Strip after indirect talks with Hamas on a ceasefire and hostage release deal broke down in July.The UN estimates nearly one million people remain in Gaza City, where it declared a famine last month. It has warned of an imminent disaster if the assault proceeds.Since the outbreak of conflict following the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, the Israeli military has launched a campaign in Gaza, resulting in significant casualties. Authorities report at least 63,746 deaths in Gaza and growing concerns over malnutrition-related fatalities.
