Why is the IDF bombing Gaza Towers?

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) kicked off Phase II of Operation Gideon’s Chariots yesterday, targeting high-rise buildings in Gaza with precision strikes. The operation saw the collapse of a 15-story building, al-Sisi, after rapid missile strikes from fighter jets, followed by another 15-story structure and a 7-story Hamas command center within 24 hours.

The goal? To send a loud-and-clear message to Gazans that the IDF means business. “This isn’t just talk or a hollow threat, it’s concrete proof to the Gazan public that we’re serious,” Finkler wrote. The demolished buildings, standing for decades, were key Hamas hubs, housing both administrative offices and military assets. A third, shorter building symbolized their governance, now reduced to rubble.

Footage from Friday showed the al-Sisi collapse, a turning point in the push to control Gaza. Saturday’s demolition, captured with military precision, included a crane rigged with cameras and intel gear, equipment Hamas used to target IDF soldiers. The IDF plans more strikes ahead of a potential ground incursion, aiming to disrupt Hamas’s hold through physical and psychological pressure. Over 100,000 Gazans have reportedly fled south in the last 24 hours, with numbers expected to rise.

This strategy builds on past tactics, targeting Hamas’s dual role as a governing and military force. As the operation unfolds, the IDF signals it’s not backing down, with further building takedowns likely in the coming days.