Escalation in Gaza: Israeli Airstrikes Target High-Rises Amid Intensifying Conflict

Sat Sep 13 2025 06:57:34 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The Israeli military has destroyed two high-rise buildings in Gaza City over the past two days, intensifying its military operations as calls for civilian evacuations grow amidst a humanitarian crisis.

As the conflict in Gaza escalates, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have demolished two high-rise towers, including Sussi Tower, citing their alleged use by Hamas. As evacuations are urged, conditions in southern Gaza worsen, with overcrowding and lack of resources reported. The international community expresses concern over the humanitarian situation, with the UN declaring a famine in Gaza City, which remains under siege amidst ongoing violence.

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 social media, 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 claimed 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. Following the destruction of the Mushtaha Tower on Friday, which also collapsed after an Israeli airstrike, the IDF stated precautionary measures had been taken, including advance warnings to the population and the use of precise munitions.

Yet, Palestinians accused Israel of enacting a policy of forced displacement, as families who had been sheltering in the building were reportedly affected. Satellite imagery shows several neighborhoods in parts of the city have been leveled by Israeli strikes and demolitions over the past month.

The destruction of these residential and commercial tower blocks, significant parts of Gaza City's architecture, has further intensified the humanitarian crisis. The UN estimates that nearly one million people remain in Gaza City, where it declared a famine last month.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed intentions to seize all of Gaza, following the breakdown of indirect talks with Hamas. The violence escalated after a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and numerous hostages taken. Israeli airstrikes since then have claimed the lives of more than 63,000 Palestinians, with the situation reaching dire levels of malnutrition and starvation.