The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) struck the Unknown Soldier Tower in Gaza City for alleged Hamas surveillance use between 6:17 PM and 6:47 PM UTC on September 14th, 2025. This action is part of ongoing preparations for a major offensive in Gaza City, which has been designated a "red zone." The IDF stated that Hamas utilized the tower to place surveillance equipment and establish observation posts to track troop movements and advance attacks. In the past reporting window, General Director of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, Dr. Mohamed Abu Salmiya, published images showing the continuation of hospital work in Gaza City to serve the wounded and patients, despite a lack of capabilities and risks. New scenes were also published depicting what was described as the "continuous aggression of the occupation" in the Gaza Governorate. Israel has rejected exit requests from senior Hamas officials and their families seeking to leave the Gaza Strip, according to a statement from Israel's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) released on September 14th, 2025. COGAT chief Maj. Gen. Ghassan Alian indicated via Facebook that Hamas operatives are seeking to flee while urging residents to remain, accusing them of using civilians 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. Previous reports indicated that the IDF had finalized preparations for a major assault on Gaza City and issued multiple evacuation warnings. The number of displaced individuals in Gaza has reached 680,000, with over 300,000 having evacuated Gaza City prior to these latest developments. 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. Britain has banned Israelis from attending The Royal College of Defence Studies for the upcoming year, a decision criticized as discriminatory. Earlier on September 14th, 2025, IDF forces eliminated terrorist Naal Samara, responsible for a shooting attack near Bruchin on May 14th, 2025.
