The Israeli military on Friday began flattening high-rise buildings in Gaza City that it claims are used by Hamas for military purposes.
Why it matters: Friday's strikes mark the first major phase in Israel's new offensive to occupy Gaza City, which the government says is aimed at rooting out Hamas. The operation — backed by President Trump — is expected to escalate in the coming days.
Behind the scenes: Israel's top security chiefs — Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief of staff Gen. Eyal Zamir, the heads of Mossad, Shin Bet and military intelligence — advised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against launching the operation. They warned it could:
- Endanger the lives of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza.
- Lead to heavy IDF casualties.
- Fail to dismantle Hamas.
- Force Israel into direct military rule over Gaza's two million residents.
The security officials recommended Netanyahu and his Cabinet pursue a hostage and ceasefire deal instead. Hamas is still holding 48 hostages, with about 20 believed to be alive.
- According to the Hamas-controlled Gaza health ministry, more than 64,000 Palestinians — most of them women and children — have been killed since Israel's offensive began after Hamas' Oct. 7 attack.
- Roughly 900,000 Palestinians remain in Gaza City. Israeli officials say only 70,000 have left in recent days, raising fears the new assault could dramatically increase the death toll.
Driving the news: The IDF said Friday it would conduct strikes against several high-rises where Hamas has allegedly installed cameras and positioned war rooms, snipers and anti-tank missiles to target the Israeli military.
[Like the one the Reuters Palestinian journalist (the only kind that Israel allows) had at Nasser Hospital? The one that led to the Al Qaeda, Russian, Assad-Syrian "double tap" trap, his killing, the killing of AP freelancer Mariam Dagga and 22 first responders and journals in total? Okay then. Carry on with your war crimes.]
- The IDF said Hamas also planted explosive devices near the buildings and is planning to detonate them against Israeli forces based on the intelligence it receives from the surveillance cameras.
- The IDF issued a warning on Friday morning to all people in the area of the Mushtaha high-rise in Gaza City ahead of a planned strike. Two hours later, the building was bombed from the air and flattened.
- A video on social media shows the building collapses after being hit by three missiles.
- ...
- On Wednesday, Trump posted a statement on Truth Social calling on Hamas to release the 20 remaining live hostages immediately, and stressing that if they do, "things will change rapidly. IT WILL END."
- Shortly after, Hamas issued a statement offering to release all hostages in exchange for an end to the war and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Netanyahu dismissed the offer as a "spin."
