VIDEO: 'Israeli' airstrike hits 12-story Mushtaha Tower in Gaza

The ‘Israeli’ army carried out an airstrike on the 12-story Mushtaha Tower, a residential-commercial building in a densely populated area in Gaza surrounded by hundreds of makeshift tents, one of the few remaining refuge areas for families escaping the eastern outskirts. 

The ‘Israeli’ defence minister, Israel Katz, stated that “gates of hell” are opening now in Gaza City. 

Read more: 'Israeli' army issues first evacuation orders for Gaza City operation: Katz says

While evacuation orders were given, Al Jazeera reported them to be as little as fifteen minutes. 

Brigadier General Effie Defrin, spokesperson for the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF), had already confirmed plans to intensify attacks on Gaza and pressure Hamas “until it is defeated.”

The spokesman said that the ‘Israeli’ army had observed “intense-activity” by Hamas in multi-story buildings, claiming them to be used as command rooms, sniper positions, and rocket launch platforms. 

Another five-story building in Gaza City, near a gas station also received evacuation orders, Al Jazeera reported. 

Hamas member Izzat al-Rashq condemned the attacks, calling 'Israeli' allegations “blatant lies and flimsy excuses” used to justify atrocities against civilians in Gaza. 

Likewise, the management of the Mushtaha Tower denied the IOF’s claims and said their building was only accessible to displaced people, Al Jazeera Arabic reported.

The military operation is set for more attacks over the upcoming days.