The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed striking a tall building in Gaza City approximately 29 minutes ago, identifying it as the Unknown Soldier Tower and stating it was used by Hamas for surveillance and observation posts to track troop movements and advance attacks. This marks the fourth high-rise in Gaza City struck by the IDF today, with evacuation warnings issued prior to each strike. According to the IDF, Hamas utilized the Unknown Soldier Tower to place surveillance equipment and establish observation posts. This action is part of ongoing preparations for a major offensive in Gaza City, which has been designated a "red zone." Israel has previously rejected exit requests from senior Hamas officials and their families seeking to leave the Gaza Strip, as Hamas operatives have encouraged residents to remain in the city. In related developments, the IDF had previously rejected exit requests from senior Hamas officials and their families, as stated by Israel's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) on September 14th, 2025. COGAT chief Maj. Gen. Ghassan Alian indicated via Facebook that Hamas operatives were seeking to flee while urging civilians to stay, accusing them of using residents as human shields. Among those reportedly denied departure were Hamas government minister Muhammad Madhoun and the families of Isma'il al-Ashqar and Alaa a-Din Bata. Gaza City Council member Anwar Atallah reportedly escaped the Gaza Strip with his family two weeks prior via an Israel-run mechanism to third countries through Jordan. The number of displaced individuals in Gaza has reached 680,000, with over 300,000 having evacuated Gaza City prior to these latest developments.
