The Israeli military has struck a residential high-rise building in western Gaza City that houses hundreds of displaced Palestinians in a densely populated area that shelters tens of thousands of civilians.
The targeted building, known as Mushtaha Tower, was hit on several floors, causing extensive damage, while plumes of smoke were seen rising over the area, an Anadolu Agency correspondent reported on Friday.
According to local sources, the military has bombed the same building four times since the start of Israel’s genocidal campaign in Gaza on October 7, 2023, destroying multiple apartments.
Adjacent to the site is the Kateiba Camp, one of Gaza City’s largest displacement camps, home to tens of thousands of Palestinians.
Nearby Al-Azhar and Islamic University campuses also shelter thousands of tents and tens of thousands of displaced persons.
The western Gaza area as a whole now accommodates roughly 1 million displaced residents, mostly from the east and northern parts of the city and north Gaza.
The management of Mushtaha Tower rejected Israel’s allegations.
In a statement, it said: “The building is free of any military or security installations and serves solely as shelter for displaced Palestinians.”
“All floors were open and exposed, containing no light or heavy weapons,” it added.
Meanwhile, local residents expressed shock at the Israeli claims.
Obadah Saifuddin, a Mushtaha Tower resident, told Anadolu: “I no longer have a home. What is our crime that the Israeli army destroys our houses in front of our eyes?”
Nidal Abu Ali, another resident, said: “I sought refuge in the tower with my family to protect my children, but Israel has left no safe place in Gaza.”
Israeli military claims
The Israeli army announced plans to target multiple multi-story buildings in Gaza over the coming days, accompanied by evacuation orders for residents in affected areas.
Army spokesman Avichay Adraee claimed that intelligence indicated Hamas had “integrated military infrastructure” inside these buildings.
Israeli Channel 12 reported that the Israeli Air Force had begun a gradual operation to destroy these buildings across Gaza, marking an expansion of military operations in the city.
Israeli forces also dropped leaflets over the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City, urging residents to evacuate blocks 699, 700, 712, 713, 716, and 764, saying the army “continues to expand its operations westward. Move south from Gaza City immediately.”
Defense Minister Israel Katz further said the initial evacuation notice had been issued to a multi-story building in Gaza, warning that military activity would intensify unless Hamas met conditions, including the release of hostages and disarmament.
On August 18, the Palestinian resistance group Hamas accepted a ceasefire proposal put forward by Egyptian and Qatari mediators. While Israel has not responded to the proposal, PM Benjamin Netanyahu gave orders to proceed with a plan to occupy Gaza City.
