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For years, Palestinian bank worker Shady Salama Al-Rayyes faithfully paid into a $93,000 mortgage on his Gaza City flat. In September, his home in the 15-story Mushtaha Tower was reduced to rubble during an Israeli strike, forcing him and his family into displacement. The demolition marked the beginning of Israel’s intensified campaign targeting Gaza City’s high-rise buildings, part of its ongoing war with Hamas.

Israel’s military claims such towers are used by Hamas for observation and attacks, citing them as legitimate military targets. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said around 50 “terrorist towers” have been destroyed. However, residents and the U.N. Human Rights Office argue the widespread demolitions amount to ethnic cleansing, pushing civilians out permanently. Satellite images and reports confirm extensive destruction across neighborhoods including Zeitoun, Tuffah, Shejaia, and Sheikh al-Radwan.

The demolition of Mushtaha Tower displaced dozens of families, many of whom had already been hosting relatives fleeing earlier strikes. Al-Rayyes recalled an Israeli officer’s warning call moments before the attack, forcing panicked evacuations. Within seconds, missiles leveled the building, scattering residents. Israel later claimed Hamas operated underground infrastructure beneath the site but offered no evidence.

Since early August, over 170 demolition incidents have been documented in Gaza City, according to conflict monitoring group ACLED. The U.N. estimates nearly 80% of Gaza’s buildings, including hospitals and schools, have been damaged or destroyed. Humanitarian groups warn that the loss of high-rise shelters worsens overcrowding in southern Gaza, where displaced families are crammed into tents.

The war, which erupted after Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack that killed 1,200 in Israel, has since killed more than 65,000 Palestinians and displaced millions. Survivors like Al-Rayyes vow never to abandon Gaza entirely, but fear of constant bombardment leaves them with little choice but to flee deeper south in search of safety.