On Friday, the Israeli military targeted a high-rise in Gaza City, following its announcement of plans to strike various structures identified as being used by Hamas, focusing particularly on tall buildings.
Israel has increased its military presence and intensified bombings around Gaza City, aiming to seize control of the largest urban area in the Palestinian territory after nearly two years of conflict.
In a statement on Friday, the military noted that it had “identified significant Hamas terrorist activities within various infrastructure sites in Gaza City, mainly in high-rise buildings.”
“In the coming days, the Israeli military will target structures transformed into terrorist infrastructure in Gaza City, including cameras, observation command centers, sniper and anti-tank positions, and command compounds,” the statement continued.
Shortly thereafter, the army announced it had struck such a high-rise, noting that Hamas had used it “to facilitate and execute attacks against Israeli troops in the area.”
An animated infographic with the initial statement depicted a video camera atop a tower block with a Hamas “observation command center” and an “underground tunnel route” beneath.
The army mentioned that before Friday’s strike, “precautionary measures were taken to minimize harm to civilians,” including issuing prior warnings.
“The reports of Israel bombing towers and apartment buildings are terrifying. Everyone is frightened and unsure where to flee,” said Ahmed Abu Wutfa, 45, residing in a partially destroyed fifth-floor apartment in western Gaza City.
“My children are terrified, and so am I. There’s no safe place—we just hope death comes swiftly,” he told AFP by phone.
Gaza’s civil defense agency reported that Israeli strikes killed 19 people on Friday in and around Gaza City, home to nearly one million people, according to UN estimates.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated on Friday: “The gates of hell in Gaza have now been opened.”
