Israel's defense minister has declared that the military is 'opening up the gates of Hell' in Gaza, following the destruction of a high-rise building in Gaza City that the army claims was used by Hamas. The strike comes as Israel intensifies its offensive, calling up reinforcements and increasing airstrikes ahead of a planned push into the city. Residents were given evacuation notices before the attack, but many displaced civilians remain in the area, raising concerns about their safety.

The Israeli military stated that significant Hamas activity has been identified in various infrastructure sites, particularly in tall buildings, and warned that further strikes are imminent. Footage captured the collapse of the Mushtaha Tower, while local Palestinians described hurried evacuations and the challenges faced by those living in tents nearby. Gaza's civil defense agency reported at least 19 deaths from Israeli strikes in and around Gaza City, an area suffering from famine and home to nearly one million people.

International criticism has mounted over Israel's plans for a full-scale invasion, with leaders from the United Kingdom, France, and Australia expressing opposition and calling for conditions to be met before recognizing a Palestinian state. Despite this, Israel has reiterated its demands for the release of hostages and the disarmament of Hamas as prerequisites for ending the conflict.