The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) struck a fourth high-rise in Gaza City, identified as the Unknown Soldier Tower, for alleged Hamas surveillance use between 6:17 PM and 6:47 PM UTC on September 14th, 2025. This action occurs as preparations for a major offensive in Gaza City continue, with the area designated a "red zone." Multiple evacuation warnings were issued prior to the strike. According to the IDF, Hamas utilized the Unknown Soldier Tower to place surveillance equipment and establish observation posts to track troop movements and advance attacks. This is part of ongoing preparations for a major offensive in Gaza City. Israel has also rejected exit requests from senior Hamas officials and their families seeking to leave the Gaza Strip, 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 are seeking to flee while urging civilians to remain, accusing them of using residents as human shields. Previous reports from September 14th, 2025, indicated that the IDF had brought equipment towards Gaza City operations and finalized preparations for the city's conquest amid a stagnation in negotiations. Israeli sources stated there would be "no escape from the beginning of maneuver" due to the lack of progress. Separately, during the reporting window, open-source satellite images were released showing at least 9 Iranian missiles hitting the Tel Nof air base and its surroundings, with 3 hitting key locations, according to one source. A separate analysis of images of Nevatim air base indicated 11 more missile impact points, increasing the total to 47, though no material damage was reported from these new points. In related developments, the number of displaced individuals in Gaza has reached 680,000, with over 300,000 having evacuated Gaza City prior to these latest strikes. 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.
