Israel launched air strikes in Gaza City that destroyed a four‑storey building after alleging repeated ceasefire breaches by Hamas and issued the first civilian evacuation order since the mid‑October truce. The IDF said it also struck a site used to manufacture and store weapons; Palestinian media separately reported two people killed north of the city. The flare‑up underscores stalled diplomatic efforts — including uncertainty over how Hamas would be disarmed under the US plan — and renewed discussion in Israel about plans for a possible larger offensive.
Israel Strikes Four‑Storey Gaza Building After Reported Ceasefire Breaches; Evacuation Order Issued
The building collapsed after it was struck near its base by an IDF guided bomb - Jehad Alshrafi/AP Photo
Israel carried out air strikes in Gaza City that destroyed a large four‑storey building after what the Israeli military described as repeated violations of the mid‑October ceasefire. Video footage showed the block collapse almost instantly after being struck close to its base by an Israel Defence Forces (IDF) guided munition.
Before the strike, the IDF issued its first civilian evacuation order since the ceasefire took effect, directing residents to leave a specified area in the Zeitoun neighbourhood. Israeli commanders said the order reflected a rise in both the frequency and severity of alleged ceasefire breaches.
The wave of IDF air strikes is in retaliation for what it described as ceasefire violations by Hamas - Anadolu
Earlier in the week the IDF reported that a reservist officer was seriously wounded in a gunfight near the so‑called “yellow line” that separates Hamas‑controlled Gaza from the area under Israeli control; the military also said additional shots were fired toward soldiers operating in northern parts of the Gaza Strip later in the week.
Following the air strikes the IDF said it had hit a building used by Hamas for weapons manufacture and storage. It was not immediately clear whether that specific strike caused casualties; Palestinian media separately reported two people killed by Israeli fire in neighbourhoods north of Gaza City.
Before the strike, Israel ordered civilians to evacuate the Gaza City neighbourhood - Anadolu
The escalation highlights stalled diplomatic efforts. Former US President Donald Trump last month announced that “phase two” of his peace plan had begun, but there remains no publicly outlined mechanism for disarming Hamas and no large‑scale reconstruction is underway.
Israeli authorities say they are cooperating with the US plan, but some military commanders believe a return to full‑scale conflict could be required to eliminate Hamas’s capabilities, and media reports indicate operational plans for such an offensive have been prepared. The IDF has also said that the absence of Israeli hostages would reduce constraints on future operations.
Despite the military pressure, Hamas retains a significant infrastructure, including extensive tunnel networks, arms stockpiles and sources of recruits. In recent incidents the IDF has said it is both targeting individuals who attack or threaten troops near the yellow line and increasingly striking pre‑selected sites that it assesses are linked to hostile activity.
“The IDF views with severity every violation of the ceasefire agreement and will operate against any attempt by the organisation in the Gaza Strip to carry out attacks against IDF troops and the civilians of the State of Israel,” a military spokesman said.
Reporting is ongoing and casualty figures for the strikes are still being confirmed by independent sources.
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