The war between Israel and Hamas has increased sharply in recent days. In recent days, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have begun air strike after air strike, systematically leveling Gaza City. In these four operations alone, the IDF conducted five waves attacking upwards of 500 buildings. They zoomed in on critical neighborhoods such as Daraj Tuffah, al-Furqan, and al-Shati. This intense siege and escalation of bombardment has raised grave humanitarian alarms. According to humanitarian reports, critical infrastructure—including schools, hospitals, and mosques—have been damaged.
Gaza City Mayor Yahya Sarraj stated that hundreds of thousands of families attempted to flee southward, hoping to find refuge. Sadly, they were forced to return when conditions deteriorated. UNOSAT’s analysis of the high-resolution satellite imagery uncovers a far more disturbing statistic. More than 78 percent of all built structures in Gaza have been damaged. This horrific destruction has led to huge and unprecedented internal and external displacement and Israeli sources have reported that over 200,000 have already fled the region.
According to the IDF, its main targets are Hamas fighters as well as high-rise buildings closely linked to the organization. Most importantly, critics contend that the degree of destruction shows that the intent of the strategy was to target and destroy the civilian population.
Escalating Destruction in Gaza City
The IDF air strikes have only recently begun hitting this many buildings—now also hospitals, mosques, sanctuaries. Among them the Mashtaha Tower, which was targeted Friday, 5 September 2025. According to the IDF, these strikes are vital to breaking Hamas’s operational capacity and retribution.
“A mighty hurricane will hit the skies of Gaza City today, and the roofs of the terror towers will shake,” – Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz
The IDF circulated artistic renderings depicting dozens of structures slated for demolition. This has alarmed human rights organizations over the danger it poses to civilians. Thousands of members of the local population are currently living in temporary tents after being displaced from their homes.
Residents such as Mazen Al-Naffar and his brother Khamees Al-Naffar recount their harrowing experiences. Their home in the Zaytoun neighborhood was reduced to rubble, leaving them without any place to go.
“This is my tent and this is my brothers, you can barely see them, there is no trace,” – Mazen Al-Naffar
These statements highlight the tremendous human toll of this continuing war. They shine a light on the despairing conditions that people continue to live under in Gaza City.
Humanitarian Crisis and Displacement
In a deeply problematic action taken in response to the worsening violence, Israeli authorities expanded mass displacement orders across much of northern Gaza. Consequently, less than 1% of the county is outside evacuation orders. Mayor Sarraj explained that the majority of residents do not want to move south. They’re worried about a lack of services and the potential for overcrowding.
“They said that they did not find any suitable place to live there, as there is extreme overcrowding and a severe lack of services,” – Cr Sarraj
Even with all these dangers, Israeli officials still call on civilians to evacuate and protect themselves. Since May, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has gone on television to announce that residents are in danger.
“I say to the residents of Gaza, take this opportunity and listen to me carefully: you have been warned — leave now!” – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
The state of affairs has displaced thousands of families, leaving them in precarious and often unknown living conditions with few resources to establish stable roots. Khamees Al-Naffar shared the anxiety that his family experienced upon returning home.
“We came back at 6am, and since then we are in disarray, sit or don’t sit, eat or don’t eat, we don’t know what to do,” – Khamees Al-Naffar
As air strikes dramatically change Gaza City’s geography, fears for support and access to hot humanitarian needs over here have grown.
Criticism from Human Rights Organizations
Human rights organizations have been up in arms over the IDF’s tactical approach. They call it an orchestrated attack against noncombatants. B’Tselem spokesperson Yair Dvir characterized the recent incidents to these as part of a deepening reflection of the violent status quo.
“The goal is to destroy all Gaza City … and they just use whatever means they use. They [aren’t concerned] about life, people; they [aren’t concerned] about international law,” – Mr Dvir
The continued bombardment poses troubling challenges to the application of international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians in armed conflict. People like @enough16 have pointed out that the IDF’s justifications ignore the humanitarian consequences of their military actions.
Israeli officials argue that their operations are necessary for national security. They want to eliminate Hamas’s capability to conduct future attacks. Amid growing civilian casualties and displacement rates, many outside observers are demanding the Pentagon undertake an urgent reassessment of military strategy.
