Israel's Intensified Military Campaign in Gaza City Sparks Global Concerns

The Israeli military's intensified campaign of demolition in Gaza City has sparked widespread fears of a permanent displacement of Palestinians from the area. Beginning in late August 2025, the campaign has seen the destruction of up to 20 high-rise buildings, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claiming that 50 'terrorist towers' have been demolished as part of an ongoing effort to dismantle Hamas infrastructure.

One of the most significant strikes occurred on 5 September 2025 with the destruction of the 15-storey Mushtaha Tower, which housed approximately 50 families. The attack left hundreds of people homeless and displaced, forcing many to set up makeshift tents in nearby areas. Shady Salama Al-Rayyes, a Palestinian bank worker who lived in one of the demolished buildings, described the chaos and fear that followed an Israeli evacuation order, which required him and his family to flee their home and leave behind their belongings.

Israeli military officials have justified the destruction of residential towers, claiming that they were used by Hamas for observation and attack purposes. Some buildings, they claim, also contained booby-traps. However, Hamas has denied using residential towers for military operations, and the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) has raised concerns about the potential for ethnic cleansing.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has suggested that much of Gaza could be 'totally destroyed' in the future, with the population confined to a narrow strip near the Egyptian border. The Israeli military has also called for all civilian residents of Gaza City to evacuate during the offensive, a move that has been widely criticized as a further escalation of the humanitarian crisis.

Satellite imagery and reports from residents indicate that over 65% of buildings and homes in Gaza City have been destroyed or heavily damaged since the war began. The UN has expressed deep concern over the destruction of civilian housing and infrastructure, warning that such actions could constitute war crimes. The Israeli military, however, has defended its actions, stating that the targeted buildings were legitimate military targets approved by legal officers.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in over 65,000 Palestinian deaths, widespread famine, and mass displacement. The latest phase of the war, including the ground assault towards the heart of Gaza City, has intensified the humanitarian crisis, with many Palestinians forced to flee their homes in search of safety. As the world watches, the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, raising urgent questions about the future of the region and the international community's response.