GAZA CITY: In a night of unparalleled destruction, the upscale Rimal neighborhood in Gaza City has been left in shambles following intense Israeli bombardment. The usually vibrant area, known for its shopping malls, restaurants, residential buildings, and offices belonging to aid groups and international media, now resembles scenes from a war-torn movie. This latest conflict has struck a chord of despair and disbelief among Palestinians, who claim this level of devastation is unlike any they have witnessed before.
Israel’s bombs shattered the walls and rooftops of luxury apartment towers, uprooted trees, and turned bustling streets into fields of debris. Mosques, university buildings, and high-rise offices, including telecommunications companies and legal associations, were leveled. The heart of Gaza City, once filled with beauty salons, shops, and pizzerias, now echoes with the cries of despair and loss.
“This isn’t just about buildings; it’s the center of our public life, our community. Israel has destroyed the center of everything,” lamented Palestinian businessman Ali Al-Hiyak, reflecting the sentiment of many residents.
The Ministry renews its call for urgent #international_action to immediately stop this insane #war and ensure the entry of basic needs for our people in Gaza Strip urgently. The Ministry also reiterates demand to activate the #international_protection system for the #Palestinian… pic.twitter.com/LEURxMNLhD
— State of Palestine – MFA 🇵🇸🇵🇸 (@pmofa) October 11, 2023
Israeli Military Airstrikes on Gaza City
Israel unleashed what Gazans describe as the most intense bombing campaign in recent memory, marked by hundreds of airstrikes. Residents reported that some buildings were targeted without warning, exacerbating the civilian toll. The death toll in Gaza has rapidly risen, with over 800 people reported martyred and thousands more wounded. Israel’s actions have not only taken lives but have also cut off essential supplies, leaving Gaza without adequate food, water and electricity, worsening the already dire humanitarian situation.
#Israeli warplanes destroy #Al_Karama neighborhood in Gaza Strip
الطيران الحربي الإسرائيلي يدمّر حي #الكرامة في قطاع غزة#Gaza_Under_Attack#Palestine pic.twitter.com/OB4rAxYw0A
— State of Palestine – MFA 🇵🇸🇵🇸 (@pmofa) October 11, 2023
Drone footage reveals vast portions of central Gaza City now reduced to craters and ruins, a stark testament to the scale of the onslaught. Palestinians in Gaza view Israel’s actions as collective punishment. Gaza’s Interior Ministry spokesman, Iyad Bozum, expressed the devastating impact on essential infrastructure and homes, making life in Gaza seemingly impossible in the aftermath.
Ordinary residents, shopkeepers, and local journalists have fallen victim to the strikes, leaving families homeless and livelihoods shattered. Issa Abu Salim, standing amidst the debris of his home, encapsulated the prevailing sentiment, “Our money is gone. My identity cards are lost. The entire house, all four floors, is lost. The most beautiful area, they destroyed it.”
