GAZA — The Israeli army ordered Palestinians in Gaza Metropolis to evacuate south on Saturday earlier than bombing a high-rise tower, as its forces pressed deeper into the enclave’s largest city space.
Israeli forces have been battling by northern suburbs for weeks after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed the army to seize town, calling it a Hamas stronghold.
The operation threatens to uproot a whole bunch of hundreds of Palestinians sheltering there. Earlier than the warfare, about a million individuals—practically half of Gaza’s inhabitants—lived in Gaza Metropolis.
Navy spokesperson Avichay Adraee wrote on X that residents ought to head to a chosen coastal space of Khan Younis, which he described as a “humanitarian zone” providing meals, medical care and shelter.
The army later struck a multi-storey Gaza Metropolis tower it claimed Hamas used for intelligence, saying civilians had been warned prematurely.
Defence Minister Israel Katz shared a video of the constructing’s collapse.
Hamas denied utilizing the constructing, whereas Palestinians stated it had sheltered displaced households. Casualties weren’t instantly confirmed.
Earlier Saturday, Gaza well being authorities stated at the very least 23 Palestinians had been killed, together with 13 in Gaza Metropolis.
Israeli strikes have destroyed a number of towers in latest days. On Thursday, the army stated it managed practically half of Gaza Metropolis and round 75 p.c of the enclave general.
Many residents displaced earlier within the warfare had returned, vowing to not go away once more.
Netanyahu’s push to seize Gaza Metropolis, made towards the recommendation of army management, has drawn condemnation overseas.
The warfare started after Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 individuals and seizing 251 hostages.
Greater than 64,000 Palestinians have since been killed, in line with Gaza well being officers, with a lot of the enclave diminished to ruins.
Hostage households in Israel are pressuring the federal government to barter. Officers consider 20 of the remaining 48 captives are alive. Netanyahu insists on an “all-or-nothing” deal requiring Hamas’ give up. Hamas has proposed partial releases underneath short-term ceasefires, whereas demanding Israel withdraw from Gaza.
On Friday, Hamas launched a video displaying two captives, certainly one of whom stated they had been being held in Gaza Metropolis and feared being killed in Israel’s assault.
US President Donald Trump stated Washington was in “very deep” talks with Hamas, as Arab mediators attempt to revive collapsed negotiations. — Businesses
