Israel Begins Demolition of High-Rises in Gaza Under the Pretext of Fighting Hamas

On Friday, September 5, the Israeli army began demolishing high-rise buildings in Gaza, claiming they were used by Hamas for military purposes. The strikes marked the first major phase of a new operation to seize the city, which officials describe as an effort to "uproot Hamas." The offensive, backed by U.S. President Donald Trump, is expected to escalate in the coming days.

Behind the scenes, Israel’s top security chiefs — IDF Chief of Staff Gen. Eyal Zamir, along with the heads of Mossad, Shin Bet, and military intelligence — urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to proceed. They warned the operation endangered Israeli hostages, risked heavy military casualties, was unlikely to eliminate Hamas, and could force Israel into direct administration of Gaza’s two million residents. As an alternative, they advised the cabinet to consider a hostage-and-ceasefire deal. According to Israeli data, Hamas is still holding 48 hostages, about twenty of whom are believed to be alive.

The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry stated that more than 64,000 Palestinians — most of them women and children — have been killed since Israel’s offensive began after the October 7 attack. Roughly 900,000 people remain in the city, while Israel claims only 70,000 have left.

On Friday, the IDF reported strikes on several high-rise buildings where militants had allegedly installed surveillance cameras, set up command centers and sniper positions, and planted explosives in the surrounding area. Residents were warned two hours in advance of the strike on the "Mushtaha" building. Footage circulating on social media shows the structure collapsing after three missile hits. The army claimed the site concealed an extensive Hamas tunnel network designed for ambushes and militant retreats.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant declared: "The latch is breaking off the gates of hell in Gaza. IDF operations will continue until the murderers and rapists of Hamas meet Israel’s conditions — the release of all hostages and disarmament — or until they are destroyed."

Talks over the hostages remain deadlocked. Several weeks ago, Hamas proposed a 60-day ceasefire in exchange for the release of ten living captives and eighteen bodies. Israel rejected the partial deal, insisting on the return of all hostages. On Wednesday, Trump wrote on Truth Social that Hamas must immediately release the twenty remaining live captives, after which "everything will change quickly." In response, Hamas representatives said they were prepared to release everyone in exchange for ending the war and withdrawing troops, but Netanyahu dismissed the offer as "spin."

On Thursday, White House envoy Steve Witkoff met in Paris with Qatari officials to discuss possible terms for a deal. However, according to sources, no breakthrough was achieved: Israel has not shifted its stance, and Hamas shows no flexibility. One Israeli official admitted: "For now, no one has a rabbit to pull out of the hat."