The skies above Gaza City darkened once more as Israeli airstrikes targeted and demolished another residential high-rise Al-Roya Tower marking at least the third such strike in three days, according to the Palestinian Civil Defence. Al Jazeera’s live updates describe a scene of destruction and dread as families flee with little more than the clothes on their backs.
This occurred shortly after the destruction of the 15-story Soussi Tower and the Mushtaha Tower, both residential buildings housing displaced families. Israel justified the attacks by alleging these structures were being used by Hamas militants, though no proof has been provided; Hamas has firmly denied the claims.
Even evacuation warnings minuscule windows of 20 minutes did little to contain the chaos. One resident, recalling the moment Soussi Tower crumbled, said: “We didn’t know what to do… Suddenly we were outside, confusion everywhere.” The Guardian As officials call these moves an attempt to push Palestinians south, Gazans remain trapped in limbo: “No safe place remains,” another survivor lamented.
The casualties were staggering. At least 56 Palestinians were killed on Saturday alone, including many gathered near aid distribution centers supposedly humanitarian sanctuaries. The Guardian Compounding the trauma, safe zones are being bombed too leaving “no tent, no house, no safe place” as described by survivors. Amid the destruction, calls for a ceasefire echo loudly. Hamas voiced openness to releasing Israeli hostages if the conflict ends and Israeli forces withdraw from Gaza a proposal Israel hasn’t accepted.
