Tue Sep 16 00:40:55 UTC 2025: ## Israeli Minister Celebrates Gaza City Bombings as Civilian Casualties Mount
**Gaza City -** Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has publicly celebrated the ongoing bombardment of Gaza City, as Israeli forces continue a campaign of intense airstrikes that have leveled residential buildings and forced hundreds of thousands to flee. For three consecutive days, Katz has posted videos of the attacks on social media, boasting of “sinking the centers of terror and incitement,” without providing evidence to support claims that targeted residential buildings housed Hamas operatives.
The destruction includes the Al-Ghafri high-rise, Gaza’s tallest residential building, among at least 50 multi-story buildings reportedly destroyed in recent weeks. Entire neighborhoods, such as Zeitoun, have been reduced to rubble, with over 1,500 homes and buildings destroyed since early August.
The relentless bombardment follows an approved Israeli security cabinet plan to seize Gaza City, resulting in a mass exodus of residents towards the southern area of al-Mawasi, designated as a “safe zone.” However, reports indicate that al-Mawasi lacks essential resources and continues to be targeted by Israeli forces. At least five Palestinians awaiting food assistance near al-Mawasi were reportedly shot dead by Israeli forces.
The Gaza Ministry of Health reported that 51 Palestinians, including six-year-old twins, were killed in Gaza City in the past 24 hours. Three journalists were also killed in separate strikes, bringing the total number of journalists and media workers killed in Israel’s war on Gaza to nearly 280.
Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territory, has accused Israel of using unconventional weapons and forcibly evicting Palestinians from Gaza City. She also stated that Israel should be held accountable for genocide and asked governments to “put an end to Israeli impunity” and demand adherence to international law.
The situation is compounded by a deepening famine in northern Gaza, officially declared on August 22nd by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). Humanitarian aid missions are severely restricted, with the UN reporting that only four out of 17 coordinated missions were permitted entry on Sunday.
Since October 2023, at least 64,905 Palestinians have been killed and 164,926 wounded in the conflict, with thousands more believed to be buried under the rubble. Many Palestinians fear they will never be allowed to return to their homes.
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