Dramatic images captured the moment missiles from an Israeli airstrike destroyed a 14-story building in Gaza during the third day of hostilities with Hamas.
A correspondent from Middle East Eye said an F-16 fired nine missiles at the Al-Sharouk Tower in the enclave’s al-Rimal neighborhood on Wednesday.
Social media users warned of the impending strike, saying Israeli forces had hit the building with a “roof-knocking” bomb at least an hour before it was leveled, according to the London-based news outlet.
Palestinians walk after performing Eid al-Fitr prayers amid debris near the Al-Sharouk Tower on May 13, 2021. MOHAMMED ABED/AFP via Getty ImagesThe building, which housed various media outlets as well as stores and apartments, was previously hit by a missile during Israel’s attack on Gaza in 2014, it said.
The debris from the building in the Gaza Strip. MOHAMMED ABED/AFP via Getty ImagesIsraeli officials said Hamas was using Al-Sharouk Tower and other buildings the IDF hit for military purposes.
Palestinian men on May 13, 2021 inside the heavily damaged Al-Sharouk Tower. MOHAMMED ABED/AFP via Getty ImagesBut the official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that “no clear reason was seen for the bombing of high rises other than inflicting damage and hurting the population,” the Middle East Eye reported.
