Israeli forces have demolished more than 300 residential structures in the Zeitoun neighborhood of central Gaza over the past three days, according to Gaza’s Civil Defense, as military operations in the enclave continue to escalate.
Speaking on Wednesday, Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal said the Israeli military has carried out sustained and intense bombardments in Zeitoun, with airstrikes and demolitions reportedly focused on densely populated civilian areas. Buildings with five or more floors were specifically targeted, he noted, and the scale of explosives used has led to the collapse of nearby structures as well.
Basal added that some of the demolitions occurred while residents were still inside, resulting in civilian casualties. Many of the homes were destroyed without prior warning, and ongoing attacks have made it nearly impossible for rescue teams to reach the injured.
The latest wave of destruction comes as international criticism mounts over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Palestinian health officials report that more than 61,700 people have been killed since the conflict escalated in October 2023.
In November, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza. Israel is also facing a separate genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) related to its actions in the besieged territory.
