The Kaipher Editorial Team 
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) destroyed the Mushtaha Tower in Gaza City’s Rimal neighborhood after issuing evacuation warnings. The strike, captured in dramatic footage showing the building collapsing into a massive cloud of smoke, occurred just 15 minutes after evacuation orders were issued. Defense Minister Katz warned this was only the beginning, stating that “when the door opens it will not close” and military activity would increase.
Israeli military spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin announced Thursday that forces have gained “operational control” over 40% of Gaza City and plan to intensify operations in coming days. The military has identified what it calls “significant Hamas terrorist activity” in various high-rise buildings throughout the city, promising more “precise, targeted strikes” on militant infrastructure.
The offensive represents a major escalation of Israel’s “Operation Gideon’s Chariots II,” launched in August with the goal of capturing Hamas’s remaining stronghold. Israel has mobilized approximately 60,000 reservists for the operation, marking one of the largest call-ups since the war began.
Civilian Impact and International Response
Gaza’s health ministry reported at least 69 Palestinians killed and 422 injured in the past 24 hours, with 30 fatalities occurring specifically in Gaza City. Among the casualties were six people killed while seeking humanitarian aid. The strike on Mushtaha Tower occurred in an area surrounded by hundreds of makeshift tents housing displaced families.
Building management denied Israeli accusations that the structure was used for militant purposes, stating it housed only displaced civilians. Local resident Ahmed al-Boari described seeing families throwing belongings from upper floors before fleeing the building.
The United Nations and humanitarian organizations have warned of “devastating humanitarian consequences” as Israeli forces close in on Gaza City, where a famine was declared last month. The offensive threatens to worsen conditions for hundreds of thousands of civilians sheltering in the city’s ruins.
Hamas Response and Hostage Crisis
In a parallel development, Hamas released a propaganda video Friday showing two Israeli hostages — Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Alon Ohel — who were kidnapped from a music festival on October 7, 2023. In the footage, dated August 28, Gilboa-Dalal claims to be held in Gaza City and pleads for his life amid Israel’s intensifying offensive.
The video’s release heightens concerns about the fate of 48 hostages still held by Hamas, with only 20 believed to be alive. Hostage families and protesters have criticized the Gaza City operation, arguing it endangers the remaining captives and calling for renewed ceasefire negotiations.
The current escalation follows the collapse of indirect ceasefire talks in July, with Israel maintaining its conditions of complete Hamas disarmament and hostage release while Hamas demands a lasting ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal.
