Israel destroys second high-rise as assault on Gaza City intensifies

Israel Destroys Second High-Rise as Assault on Gaza City Intensifies In a dramatic escalation of its military campaign against Hamas, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) destroyed a second high-rise building in Gaza City on Saturday, sparking widespread condemnation and raising concerns about civilian casualties. According to eyewitnesses, the Sussi Tower collapsed after being struck by an Israeli missile, with Defence Minister Israel Katz posting video footage of the destruction on X. "We're continuing," he captioned the post. The IDF claimed that the building was being used by Hamas, a claim denied by the militant group. It is unclear whether there were any casualties in the attack. This latest development comes as the Israeli military expands its operations in Gaza, with Defence Minister Israel Katz warning of further action if Palestinian militants continue to fire rockets into Israel. The IDF has repeatedly urged civilians to evacuate their homes and relocate to a designated "humanitarian zone" in southern Gaza. "We urge residents to join the thousands of people who have already gone to al-Mawasi," said Avichay Adraee, the IDF's Arabic-language spokesman. "There will be medical care, water, and food provided." However, the United Nations has expressed concerns about the safety of civilians in Gaza, with UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stating that "the humanitarian situation is deteriorating rapidly" and that "civilians are being caught in the crossfire." The destruction of the Sussi Tower marks the second major high-rise building to be targeted by Israel in as many days. On Friday, the IDF destroyed a 14-story residential tower in Gaza City, sparking widespread outrage. Background: The conflict between Israel and Hamas has been ongoing for years, with both sides accusing each other of aggression. The latest escalation began on May 10, when Hamas fired rockets into Israel, prompting a response from the Israeli military. Additional Perspectives: "The destruction of civilian infrastructure is a war crime," said Dr. Ahmed Al-Kurd, a Gaza-based human rights activist. "We urge the international community to intervene and put an end to this senseless violence." "Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas's aggression," said Israeli government spokesperson Mark Regev. "We will continue to take all necessary measures to protect our citizens." Current Status: The situation in Gaza remains volatile, with both sides trading fire and civilians caught in the crossfire. The international community is urging restraint and calling for a ceasefire. Next Developments: The United Nations Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss the crisis. The European Union has condemned the destruction of civilian infrastructure and called for a humanitarian ceasefire. The US State Department has urged both sides to "exercise restraint" and work towards a peaceful resolution. *Reporting by Bbc.*