12 May 2021

13-story Gaza tower wiped out by rockets

From Morning Report, 7:45 am on 12 May 2021

The situation in Israel and Palestine has continued to deteriorate this morning. 

The latest escalation occured when a 13-storey tower in Gaza containing apartments and offices used by Hamas collapsed after being struck by rockets. 

Residents of the building had been ordered to evacuate an hour and a half before the air strike occured.

Hamas launched a massive offensive in response - it says it launched 130 rockets toward Tel Aviv. 

Most of these appear to have been intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome system, but Israeli media are reporting a bus was hit near Tel Aviv. 

AFP Jerusalem reporter Daniella Cheslow spoke to Corin Dann.