On Saturday, an Israeli airstrike leveled a high-rise in Gaza City, marking the second such incident in two consecutive days. This occurred after the military urged residents to relocate to a “humanitarian zone” ahead of a planned attack on the city.
For weeks, Israel has been signaling a fresh offensive on Gaza’s largest city, without specifying when it would occur.
Increased airstrikes and ground operations on the city’s fringes have raised concerns about exacerbating the already severe conditions.
Israeli aircraft dropped thousands of leaflets urging residents in western neighborhoods to evacuate, according to witnesses and an AFP journalist.
People search the rubble of the Sussi Tower, destroyed by Israeli strikes in Gaza City on September 6, 2025. — AFP
Nafez Anis, living in a tent with his family in Gaza City, acknowledged reading the leaflet but had no plans to leave.
“Where should we go?” he told AFP. “We’ll wait, and if Israeli tanks come, we’ll leave.”
Gaza civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal reported to AFP that 56 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire during the day, including 19 near a northern aid center.
The Israeli military, contacted by AFP, requested specific times and locations to investigate these reports.
On Saturday, the military confirmed striking a high-rise in Gaza City, claiming it was used by Hamas “to monitor” Israeli forces and that attempts were made “to minimize civilian harm.”
Witnesses identified the building as the Sussi residential tower, which was demolished. Defense Minister Israel Katz posted a video showing the 15-story building collapsing in dust and smoke.
Hamas condemned the attack, denying any military use of residential buildings.
‘Death pursues us’
The Israeli military targets structures used by Hamas, especially tall buildings.
Another high-rise received an evacuation order on Saturday, with warnings of an impending strike and instructions for residents to head south.
A military spokesperson advised residents to move to Al-Mawasi on the southern coast, where humanitarian aid and medical care would be available.
“Take this chance to move early to the humanitarian zone and join the thousands already there,” spokesperson Avichay Adraee stated on social media.
Israel declared Al-Mawasi a safe zone early in the conflict but has continued striking it, alleging Hamas targets.
Residents of Gaza City feel little difference between staying or fleeing.
“Some say leave, others say stay,” said Abdel Nasser Mushtaha, 48.
“Bombings and death are everywhere in Gaza,” he noted, particularly mentioning Al-Mawasi’s strikes.
“It makes no difference to us,” added his daughter Samia Mushtaha, 20. “Death follows us, whether from bombs or hunger.”
US in ‘deep negotiation’
Israel faces increasing domestic and global pressure to end the nearly two-year conflict.
Thousands protested in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem Saturday night, demanding a ceasefire and hostage release.
Protesters in Tel Aviv unfurled a large banner reading: “President Trump, save the hostages now!”
At the White House Friday, Trump stated the US is in talks with Hamas over hostages in Gaza.
“We’re in very deep negotiation with Hamas,” he confirmed.
Last month, Hamas accepted a proposal for a temporary ceasefire and phased hostage releases, but Israel insists on the immediate release of all hostages, disarmament, and Gaza relinquishment, among other demands.
Admiral Brad Cooper, the new head of US Central Command, concluded his first visit to Israel on Saturday since taking office last month, the Israeli military reported.
Militants captured 251 hostages during the October 2023 attack on Israel that ignited the war. The Israeli military states 47 remain in Gaza, with 25 presumed dead.
The UN estimates nearly one million people remain in and around Gaza City, where a famine was declared last month. It warns of an impending “disaster” if the assault continues.
Hamas’s 2023 attack on Israel resulted in 1,219 deaths, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official data.
Israel’s counteroffensive has caused at least 64,368 Palestinian deaths, mostly civilians, per the health ministry in Hamas-governed Gaza, figures the UN deems reliable.
Media restrictions and access challenges in Gaza prevent AFP from independently verifying the numbers and details from the civil defense agency or the Israeli military.
