🔍 Quick Recap: On Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) struck Tayba II Tower in Gaza City, claiming Hamas had installed intel gear to track troop movements. The residential high-rise near the Rimal neighborhood was destroyed, part of a broader push on Gaza's high-rises—many housing displaced families.
⏰ Last-Minute Evac: Residents got under 60 minutes via X (formerly Twitter) in Arabic to vacate. For people already under continuous threat, that’s barely enough time to grab essentials.
🔥 Why It Matters: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz revealed this strike ties to a recent attempt in Qatar, dubbed "Fire Summit," aimed at killing top Hamas figures. Katz asserts Israel's "long arm" will hunt down Hamas operatives everywhere until they release all hostages and disarm.
🤝 Ceasefire at Risk: Qatar, a key mediator in Gaza talks, suspended negotiations after the operation in Doha. The White House said President Trump had warned Qatar in advance but didn’t support the strike. Doha denies getting any warning until bombs were already falling.
🌍 Global Ripples: EU chief Ursula von der Leyen is pushing to sanction “extremist” Israeli ministers and tighten trade ties over the humanitarian crisis. Israel’s foreign minister responded on X that Europe’s stance risks strengthening Hamas’s radical axis.
📊 Human Cost: Gaza health authorities report over 64,000 killed and widespread destruction pushing communities toward famine.
What’s Next: With ceasefire hopes fading and regional tensions rising, the Middle East conflict remains volatile. We’ll keep you posted. 🙏
Reference(s):
Israel strikes Gaza tower, vows to pursue Hamas after Qatar attack
cgtn.com
