On Friday, the Israeli military started demolishing high-rise structures in Gaza City that it says Hamas uses for military objectives.
Why it's important The government claims that Israel's military effort to capture Gaza City is intended to drive out Hamas, and Friday's strikes represent the first significant stage of that offensive. With President Trump's support, the operation is anticipated to intensify in the days ahead.
Behind the scenes: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was warned against initiating the operation by Israel's senior security officers, including Gen. Eyal Zamir, chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and the leaders of Mossad, Shin Bet, and military intelligence. They cautioned that it might:
Put the lives of the Israeli captives who are currently being held in Gaza in peril.
result in significant IDF losses.
Don't take down Hamas.
compel Israel to impose direct military control over the two million people living in Gaza.
Instead, the security chiefs advised Netanyahu and his Cabinet to work out a ceasefire and hostage agreement. About 20 of the 48 hostages that Hamas is presently holding are thought to be alive.
Since Israel's offensive started following Hamas' Oct. 7 attack, more than 64,000 Palestinians have been killed, the majority of whom were women and children, according to the Gaza health ministry, which is under Hamas control.
There are still about 900,000 Palestinians living in Gaza City. Only 70,000 people have departed in recent days, according to Israeli officials, which raises concerns that the current attack could significantly raise the dead toll.
Making headlines: The Israeli Defense Forces announced Friday that it would launch attacks on a number of skyscrapers where Hamas is suspected of setting up cameras and placing war rooms, snipers, and anti-tank missiles to target the Israeli forces.
Based on the information it gets from the surveillance cameras, the IDF claimed Hamas also placed explosive devices close to the structures and intends to detonate them against Israeli forces.
Ahead of a scheduled hit, the IDF warned everyone in the vicinity of Gaza City's Mushtaha high-rise on Friday morning. The building was flattened and attacked from the air two hours later.
The structure collapses after being struck by three missiles, according to a social media video.
What they're saying: "Hamas has established up underground facilities beneath the structure, from which it conducts terror attacks against nearby IDF personnel. The infrastructure serves as terrorists' escape routes and is utilized to conduct ambushes against IDF units, the IDF stated in a statement.
"The bolt is now being lifted from the gates of hell in Gaza," Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated in a statement just before the first structure was demolished.
