Israel Strikes Gaza High-Rise, Warns Of Expanded Assault On Hamas Infrastructure
Israel escalates Gaza campaign with high-rise strike as IDF targets Hamas infrastructure, deepening the conflict’s toll on the city and its people.Image courtesy:RNA
The Israeli military said on September 5, 2025, that it struck a high-rise building in Gaza City, shortly after announcing a campaign targeting structures allegedly used by Hamas, particularly tall buildings serving as command hubs.
The strike comes as Israel expands its forces and intensifies bombardments on the outskirts of Gaza City, the Palestinian enclave’s largest urban centre, amid nearly two years of war.
The military has declared its intent to seize control of the city, which remains home to nearly one million people, according to United Nations estimates.
What did Israel say about its targets?
In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had “identified significant Hamas terrorist activity within a wide variety of infrastructure sites in Gaza City, and particularly in high-rise buildings.”
The army added that in the coming days it would target structures converted into “terrorist infrastructure,” including cameras, observation centres, sniper and anti-tank positions, and command compounds.
Less than an hour after issuing its warning, the IDF confirmed it had struck one such high-rise, claiming Hamas used it to “advance and execute attacks against Israeli troops in the area.” An animated infographic released by the military depicted a tower block equipped with surveillance cameras, an observation command centre, and an underground tunnel system.
What has been the IDF’s escalation message?
The IDF said precautionary measures, including prior warnings, were taken before the strike to minimise civilian casualties. However, Gaza’s civil defence agency reported that 19 people were killed on August 5 in and around Gaza City.
“The news about Israel beginning to bomb towers and apartment buildings is terrifying. Everyone is scared and doesn’t know where to go,” said Ahmed Abu Wutfa, a 45-year-old resident sheltering with his family in a damaged apartment. “My children are terrified, and so am I. There is no safe place. We only hope that death comes quickly.”
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz underscored the escalation in a stark message: “The bolt has now been removed from the gates of hell in Gaza.”
