Israel Hits Gaza City High-Rise, Warns of More Strikes/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Israel struck a high-rise building in Gaza City Friday as part of its expanding offensive, warning more precision strikes are imminent. At least 27 Palestinians were killed in separate attacks, raising tensions amid growing protests inside Israel. Hamas released a new hostage video, adding pressure on Israeli leadership.
Gaza Offensive Intensifies: Quick Looks
- Israel strikes Mushtaha Tower in Gaza City’s Rimal district.
- Military accuses Hamas of using high-rises for surveillance.
- Gaza health officials report 27 deaths in overnight strikes.
- Gaza City declared a combat zone; evacuations continue.
- Protests erupt in Israel over fears for 48 remaining hostages.
- Hamas releases video showing two hostages in Gaza City.
- Israel mobilizing tens of thousands of reservists for expanded offensive.
- War has killed over 64,000 Palestinians, per Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Deep Look: Israel Strikes Gaza High-Rise as Offensive Expands and Hostage Crisis Deepens
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Israeli forces bombed a high-rise building in Gaza City on Friday and warned of more targeted strikes to come, as the military pushes forward in its operation to seize control of the northern part of the Gaza Strip. The offensive, centered on what Israel now calls a “combat zone,” aims to break Hamas resistance while sparking new protests at home over the fate of hostages still held in the region.
The building hit, known as the Mushtaha Tower, was located in the Rimal district, once a bustling upscale neighborhood before being devastated by war. Israel said Hamas had been using the building for surveillance, justifying its destruction. Residents reported that many families displaced by earlier fighting had sought shelter in and around the building, with satellite images showing rows of tents nearby.
While Israeli forces had issued evacuation warnings before the strike, it was not immediately clear whether there were injuries or fatalities from the tower’s destruction.
High-Rises, High Tensions
The Israeli military stated that Hamas is using high-rises like Mushtaha Tower as vantage points for ambushes and intelligence gathering. It vowed to carry out “precise, targeted strikes” in the days ahead.
“Our mission is to eliminate Hamas’ operational capabilities in Gaza City,” said an Israeli military spokesperson. “Structures used for combat will be considered legitimate targets.”
Deadly Night Strikes Leave 27 Dead
While the tower attack drew headlines, it was part of a broader night of intense Israeli airstrikes that killed at least 27 Palestinians, according to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. One of the strikes reportedly wiped out six members of a single family.
Israel reiterated that its military targets only Hamas operatives, blaming civilian casualties on the group’s choice to embed within densely populated neighborhoods.
But for many residents of Gaza City, the fighting has left them in a constant state of fear. After earlier displacement, some had returned home only to be ordered to evacuate again as parts of the city are now designated “red zones.”
Hostage Families Protest Netanyahu’s Strategy
Within Israel, public pressure is mounting over the fate of 48 remaining hostages, believed to be held in Gaza, with 20 of them presumed alive. Recent demonstrations have criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of prioritizing military escalation over negotiated solutions to secure the hostages’ release.
“The government of Israel is waging a war of attrition against us, against the citizens of Israel as a whole, and against the families of the hostages in particular,” said Lishay Lavi-Miran, whose husband Omri Miran is among the captives.
Opponents claim Netanyahu is under pressure from far-right coalition partners to continue the war, even at the expense of hostages’ lives.
Hamas Releases New Hostage Video
In what appeared to be a propaganda effort, Hamas released a video Friday showing two hostages—Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Alon Ohel—inside Gaza City. Gilboa-Dalal, likely speaking under duress, pleads for an end to the war and for the release of hostages.
Gilboa-Dalal was last seen more than six months ago in a ceasefire video with another hostage, Evyatar David, watching other detainees being freed.
The video’s release further intensifies scrutiny over Israel’s military-first approach to the hostage crisis, especially as Hamas continues to leverage captives for political messaging.
Background: War’s Ongoing Toll
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251. While most have since been released through ceasefire deals, dozens remain in captivity.
Israel’s retaliatory response has now killed over 64,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which notes that women and children account for about half the deaths. However, the ministry does not differentiate between civilian and combatant casualties.
Israel maintains that the war will continue until Hamas is fully disarmed and all hostages are returned. It has also stated that it will retain long-term security control over the territory—home to more than 2 million Palestinians.
Hamas, in contrast, demands a complete Israeli withdrawal, a permanent ceasefire, and the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the remaining hostages.
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