Israeli airstrikes leveled key buildings in Gaza City, killing dozens and forcing mass evacuations as the humanitarian crisis deepens.
At a Glance
- Israeli strikes killed at least 32 people in Gaza City, including 12 children.
- Military ordered evacuation of remaining residents to southern Gaza.
- Over 250,000 displaced by new push; UN estimates lower numbers.
- Humanitarian conditions worsening, with famine risk rising in crowded south.
The Strikes
Israel’s latest air campaign pummeled Gaza City overnight, reducing multiple towers to rubble. Authorities at Shifa Hospital confirmed 32 deaths, including 12 children.
The military claimed the towers housed Hamas surveillance equipment, though residents said families lived there. Survivors described entire blocks collapsing within seconds.
Watch now: Israel destroys high-rise building in Gaza City after evacuation orders
https://apnews.com/video/israel-destroys-another-high-rise-building-in-gaza-city-after-order-to-evacuate-al-roya-tower-942f50c501de444caaa520c7c3d6719c
Gaza residents said the bombings were the fiercest in weeks, shaking shelters across the city. The strikes hit neighborhoods Israel had already ordered cleared, leaving trapped civilians no clear path out.
The Evacuation
Israel’s military renewed orders for all civilians to leave Gaza City, calling the area Hamas’ last stronghold. Leaflets dropped from drones directed residents toward a “humanitarian zone” south of Wadi Gaza.
Israeli officials claim over 250,000 people have fled since the orders began. The UN estimates the true number is lower, with many refusing or unable to leave.
Families reported traveling by foot, dragging children and a few belongings. Some turned back after finding no food, shelter, or safety further south.
The Crisis
The displacement is pushing southern Gaza to the brink. Aid groups say shelters are overflowing, while food and medicine run dangerously low. Famine conditions are spreading fast.
Relief trucks struggle to enter through blocked crossings. Crowded clinics report rising cases of malnutrition, disease, and untreated wounds. Conditions are worsening daily, aid workers warn.
UN officials say the forced movement of hundreds of thousands risks a total collapse of Gaza’s social fabric. With no reliable safe zone, the crisis grows sharper.
The Pressure
The scale of civilian deaths, especially among children, is intensifying global calls for a ceasefire. Diplomats say negotiations remain stalled, with Israel insisting on dismantling Hamas before any pause.
Military analysts note urban warfare in Gaza City could drag on for weeks. They warn the cost in lives and infrastructure may outweigh tactical gains.
International monitors caution that images of dead children and fleeing families may shift public opinion sharply, forcing political recalculations in Tel Aviv.