Israel Destroys 50 Gaza High-Rises Targeting Hamas Stronghold

Israel has intensified its military campaign in Gaza by targeting and demolishing high-rise buildings used by Hamas, with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducting daylight airstrikes on structures alleged to house terrorist operations, intelligence, and explosives. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that over 50 such buildings have been destroyed as part of a broader plan to dismantle Hamas’s last stronghold in Gaza City, warning residents to evacuate ahead of a forthcoming ground assault. Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized that the campaign aims to force Hamas to accept Israel's conditions for ending the conflict, including hostage release and disarmament, warning that Gaza could face devastation akin to previous battles in Rafah and Beit Hanoun. Human Rights Watch reports that 90% of Gaza's infrastructure has been destroyed, with nearly one million displaced civilians facing severe shortages of food and shelter. Meanwhile, Israel has also carried out airstrikes in eastern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah sites, resulting in casualties and further straining the fragile ceasefire, as Hezbollah resists disarmament demands amid ongoing Israeli military actions along the border. These developments highlight escalating regional tensions and significant humanitarian impacts amid Israel’s efforts to defeat Hamas and address security threats from Hezbollah.