Israel has demolished dozens of high-rise buildings in Gaza, killing at least 60 people. Meanwhile, 10 countries are preparing to recognize Palestine ahead of the UN General Assembly.
Israel intensifies strikes on Gaza, 10 countries recognize Palestine
The Israeli army continued its large-scale attacks on Gaza City and other areas of the strip on Saturday, destroying underground tunnels and mined buildings. At least 60 Palestinians were killed, according to local medics.
The military said it had demolished about 20 high-rise buildings in the city center in the past two weeks. Israel estimates that more than 500,000 people have left Gaza City since the beginning of September. Hamas, however, claims that fewer than 300,000 have left, and about 900,000 people, including hostages, still remain.
Civilian casualties and destruction
According to Hamas estimates, more than 1,800 homes and more than 13,000 tents for displaced persons have been damaged or destroyed in Gaza since August 11. In total, over two years of war, according to medical sources, more than 65,000 Palestinians have died, most of the population has been displaced multiple times, and hunger has become a systemic problem.
Israel denies the scale of the humanitarian crisis and accuses Hamas of blocking aid. The army’s COGAT department said that militants fired on UN teams and disrupted the opening of a new humanitarian corridor in the south. Hamas responded that the attacks were carried out by criminal groups operating under the cover of the Israeli military.
Political dimension
Amid the new attacks, 10 countries, including Australia, Belgium, the United Kingdom and Canada, announced that they would officially recognize an independent Palestinian state on Monday. This will happen on the eve of the UN General Assembly session in New York.
The decision could be a symbolic step in the pressure on Israel, as the war has been going on since October 2023, when Hamas militants killed 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages. As of now, 48 prisoners are being held in Gaza, of which about 20 are believed to be alive.
