The Israeli army confirmed the destruction of a skyscraper in Gaza. According to local media, many people died and were injured. Hamas claims there are more than 50 Israeli hostages.
ANNOUNCEMENT
On Saturday afternoon, the Israeli air force bombed an 11-story building in the Gaza Strip. One of the tallest buildings in Gaza, the so-called “Palestinian Tower”, which also houses a Palestinian radio station, collapsed after the attack.
At the same time, the terrorist organization Hamas says it is holding more than 50 Israelis hostage following Saturday morning’s attacks. Hamas reportedly captured not only Israeli soldiers but also civilians.
Horrible videos
Horrifying videos are circulating online that appear to show at least one Israeli woman said to have been taken to Gaza by Hamas fighters.
Hamas took “hostages and prisoners of war,” said Israel Defense Forces spokesman Brigadier General Daniel Hagari.
“There are hostages and prisoners of war that Hamas has taken. There are also deaths among Israeli soldiers. We don’t have an exact number yet – we are at war,” the military spokesman said.
Israel’s energy minister said Israel would cut off electricity to the Gaza Strip.
Israel confirms attack on skyscraper in Gaza
“The Air Force attacked two military infrastructures belonging to high-ranking members of the terrorist organization Hamas in high-rise buildings,” the Israeli army had previously stated, without revealing the exact location.
The Air Force statement said: “Hamas places its military installations in the heart of the civilian population of the Gaza Strip.”
Experts in the Middle East assume that there are no longer Hamas leaders in the skyscrapers of Gaza. The Israeli army alerted the owner of the skyscraper shortly before the attack.
Hospitals in Gaza have appealed to people to donate blood because of the more than 1,600 injured.
Tel Aviv attacks at night
On Saturday night, residents of the Israeli metropolis Tel Aviv reported many rocket attacks on the city. The Iron Dome defense system can apparently intercept most missiles.