The Israeli military ordered residents of Gaza City to evacuate southward on Saturday before striking a high-rise tower, escalating its push into the enclave's largest urban center as the war nears its two-year mark. The strikes, part of what the Israel Defense Forces call Operation Gideon's Chariots II, are aimed at dismantling what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as Hamas's "stronghold."
Col. Avichay Adraee, the IDF's Arabic-language spokesperson, posted maps on X directing civilians to move to a designated humanitarian zone in Khan Younis. "For your safety, you are required to immediately evacuate the area southward," he said, pledging that evacuees would find food, tents, field hospitals and medical care. The Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) said thousands of shelters and supplies had been moved into southern Gaza in preparation.
Shortly after the warning, Israeli forces struck a multi-story Gaza City tower, claiming Hamas used it for intelligence purposes and that explosives had been planted nearby. Israel Katz, the defense minister, released video showing the building collapsing in a cloud of dust. Hamas denied the structure was used for military activity, and local Palestinians said it housed displaced families. Casualty numbers from the strike were not immediately confirmed.
The attack came a day after another tower was destroyed under similar circumstances. Gaza health authorities reported at least 23 Palestinians killed Saturday, including 13 in Gaza City. Since October 2023, more than 64,000 Palestinians have died in the enclave, according to local officials. Israel says its operations have killed key Hamas leaders and thousands of fighters, reducing the group to guerrilla tactics.
Netanyahu, pressed by right-wing allies, ordered the capture of Gaza City despite reported reservations from military leadership. Israeli officials say the army now controls about 75% of the territory, including half of Gaza City. The advance has displaced hundreds of thousands, many of whom had already fled earlier in the war before returning to shattered neighborhoods.
International criticism has mounted. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned last month that expanding operations in Gaza City "will only bring more bloodshed." Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the escalation "will do nothing to end the humanitarian horror in Gaza." France, Denmark, Greece, Slovenia and the U.K. issued a joint statement at the United Nations accusing Israel of violating international law and urging it to reverse course. Amnesty International has also demanded a halt, citing the destruction of homes and the killing of "scores of civilians."
Pressure inside Israel is growing as well. Families of the 48 remaining hostages-of the 251 taken during Hamas's October 7, 2023 assault that killed about 1,200 Israelis-are pressing for a negotiated settlement. Netanyahu has demanded an "all-or-nothing" deal requiring Hamas to release all captives and surrender. A Hamas video released Friday showed two hostages pleading that they feared being killed in the assault on Gaza City.
