Israeli forces strike high-rise tower in Gaza City after evacuation orders

Israeli forces bombed the al-Soussi residential tower in Gaza City on September 6, after issuing evacuation warnings to residents.

The 15-storey building, located opposite the UNRWA headquarters in the Tal al-Hawa neighbourhood, was reduced to rubble.

According to Al Jazeera, evacuation threats were also issued for another building in the city centre, the six-floor al-Ruya tower, situated near the Mushtaha Tower that was struck a day earlier. The area also includes several universities and an education centre.

In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the targeted high-rise had been used by Hamas for intelligence gathering, surveillance, and operations against Israeli troops, as well as containing underground infrastructure.

The IDF said it took “precise measures” to reduce civilian casualties, including issuing warnings, using precision munitions, and conducting aerial surveillance.

The strikes come amid intensified Israeli military operations in Gaza City, the largest urban centre in the territory, which has faced repeated bombardments since the start of the latest escalation.

Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been displaced in recent days as the Israeli military expanded ground operations in Gaza City and issued new evacuation orders. Witnesses reported large-scale movements of people heading south along the coastal Rashid Street after the army urged civilians to relocate to a “humanitarian zone.”

Despite the repeated calls, many residents have chosen to remain in their homes, saying they are unwilling or unable to leave Gaza City.

By Sabina Mammadli