GAZA CITY — An Israeli strike flattened a high-rise in Gaza City on Saturday — the second in as many days — after the military warned people to move to a “humanitarian zone” ahead of a planned offensive against the urban hub.

Israel has been warning for weeks of a new assault on the territory’s largest city, without issuing a timeline.

It has stepped up air attacks and ground operations on the city’s outskirts, sparking fears it could worsen already dire conditions.

On Saturday, Israeli aircraft dropped thousands of leaflets on western neighborhoods calling on residents to evacuate, witnesses and an AFP journalist said.

Gaza civil defense agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP that 56 Palestinians had been killed by Israeli fire during the day, including 19 near an aid distribution center in the north.

Israel flattens high-rise as it tells Gaza City residents to flee

Contacted by AFP, the Israeli military requested precise timeframes and coordinates to look into the reports.

On Saturday, the military said it struck a Gaza City high-rise, saying Hamas was using it “to monitor” Israeli troops and adding that it had taken “measures to mitigate harm to civilians”.

Witnesses identified the building as the Sussi residential tower and said it was destroyed.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz shared a video showing the roughly 15-story structure collapsing in a cloud of dust and smoke.

Hamas condemned the attack and denied using residential or civilian buildings for military purposes.

‘Death Pursues Us’

The Israeli military has said it will target structures being used by Hamas, particularly tall buildings.

It also issued an evacuation order for another high-rise on Saturday, warning of an imminent strike and telling people to leave for the south.

A military spokesperson had earlier called on residents to leave for Al-Mawasi, on the Mediterranean coast to the south, where the army said humanitarian aid and medical care would be provided.

“Take this opportunity to move early to the humanitarian zone and join the thousands of people who have already gone there,” spokesman Avichay Adraee said on social media.

US in ‘Deep Negotiation’

Israel has faced mounting domestic and international pressure to end the nearly two-year war.

Thousands demonstrated in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on Saturday evening to call for a ceasefire and hostage release deal.

In Tel Aviv, protesters unfurled a massive banner saying: “President Trump, save the hostages now!”, This news data comes from:http://www.yamato-syokunin.com

At the White House on Friday, Trump said the US was in talks with Hamas over the captives being held in Gaza.

“We’re in very deep negotiation with Hamas,” he said.

Hamas agreed last month to a proposal for a temporary ceasefire and staggered hostage releases, but Israel has demanded the militant group release all the hostages at once, disarm and relinquish control of Gaza, among other conditions.