Israeli Army Strikes Gaza High-Rise Buildings as Operation Expands

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) struck residential buildings in the Gaza Strip, completely destroying one multi-story building. The incident was confirmed by Mahmoud Basal, a representative of Gaza’s civil defense, who told RIA Novosti that the targeted structure was the Mushtaha high-rise in western Gaza City. According to Israeli assessments, Hamas had converted the destroyed building into a surveillance and intelligence-gathering hub. The organization reportedly embedded cameras, observation posts, sniper positions, anti-tank launch sites, and command-and-control centers within civilian structures, using them as both cover and operational bases. Basal stated that the strike is part of a broader IDF campaign to dismantle high-rise residential buildings in Gaza that house thousands of Palestinians. The move marks the beginning of a targeted phase of Israel’s ground and aerial operations in the city. On August 20, reports confirmed that Israeli forces had launched an offensive, seizing control of Gaza’s outskirts.