Videos posted by international media outlets show the Mushtaha tower in Gaza City's Al-Rimal neighborhood collapsing after airstrikes on 5/9. Gaza media reported that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) struck the building three times before it collapsed, engulfing the area in thick smoke and dust.

Casualties from the attack are currently unknown.

Arej Ahmed, a 50-year-old resident of southwest Gaza City, said her husband saw "residents of the Mushtaha tower throwing belongings from the upper floors to evacuate before the attack occurred. Less than half an hour after the evacuation order, the building was bombed."

She added that Israel had asked the building's residents to evacuate to avoid casualties, "but what about us, the hundreds of thousands of civilians living in tents around here?"

Earlier that day, the Israeli military said it had "identified significant Hamas terrorist activity in several infrastructure facilities in Gaza City, particularly high-rise buildings," and announced it would target those locations "in the coming days." Less than an hour later, they announced they had targeted a high-rise building, accusing Hamas of using it "to conduct and execute attacks" against Israeli forces in the area.

According to Israeli intelligence, Hamas has established sniper and anti-tank positions, surveillance systems, command and control centers, and observation posts within residential buildings. They added that Hamas had planted explosives near the buildings to ambush Israeli forces.

Smoke rises as the Mushtaha tower is struck in Gaza City on 5/9. Photo: AFP

Israeli Defense Minister Katz declared today that "the gates of hell in Gaza have been opened," and pledged to intensify operations until Hamas accepts Tel Aviv's terms to end the conflict.

IDF spokesperson Effie Defrin said Israeli forces have taken control of 40% of Gaza City.

The conflict in Gaza erupted in 10/2023 after Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing more than 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostage. Tel Aviv's subsequent retaliation in Gaza has killed at least 64,300 people, mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-controlled health ministry.

Thanh Tam (According to AFP, Times of Israel)