Israeli strike levels Gaza tower
30 Palestinians killed as assault on Gaza City intensifies
An Israeli airstrike targeted the Mushtaha building in Gaza City, causing the 14-story structure to collapse. The Israeli military stated that the building was being used by Hamas and claimed measures were taken to minimize civilian casualties. This strike is part of an ongoing assault on Gaza City that began on August 10, with Israeli forces reportedly controlling about 40% of the city, which had a population of around one million before the conflict escalated.
On the same day, Gaza’s health ministry reported that Israeli military actions had resulted in the deaths of 30 Palestinians across Gaza, including 20 in Gaza City. The conflict, which erupted on October 7, 2023, began with a Hamas attack on southern Israel that killed approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and resulted in 251 hostages being taken into Gaza.
Since the onset of the war, Palestinian health authorities claim that over 64,000 Palestinians have been killed, with the densely populated enclave facing a severe humanitarian crisis. Recent strikes have also targeted tent encampments housing displaced individuals, leading to tragic losses, including families who were killed while sleeping.
Israel is currently engaged in a case at the International Court of Justice, facing allegations of genocide, which it vehemently denies. The Israeli government maintains that it takes precautions to avoid civilian casualties, asserting that its primary objectives are to defeat Hamas and secure the release of hostages.
In a related development, Hamas released a video featuring two Israeli hostages taken during the initial attack in October 2023. Activists in Israel have called for a ceasefire, urging the government to negotiate for the release of hostages, while the U.S. appears focused on diplomatic efforts amid growing international support for recognizing a Palestinian state at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that such recognition could complicate efforts for a ceasefire, indicating that tensions remain high as the conflict continues to escalate.
