Palestinians recounts panic, desperation after Israeli airstrike flattens residential tower in Gaza

Palestinian residents recounted the scenes of panic and desperation after an Israeli airstrike completely destroyed the Mushtaha Tower in western Gaza City on Friday, which left hundreds of families homeless and deprived them of all their property and basic supplies.

A correspondent of the China Media Group on the ground captured the moment of the attack and reported the widespread panic as people were fleeing to check on their families and tents.

The residential tower, over 10 stories tall and surrounded by several refugee camps, was hit three times and flattened to rubble. Residents had received temporary evacuation notices before the airstrike, but many left without basic supplies or their belongings, reported the correspondent.

The Israeli military has confirmed the airstrike, alleging the high-rise had been utilized by Hamas.

The management of the Mushtaha Tower in Gaza City denied the Israeli claims, saying the building was only accessible to displaced people.

Shortly before the attack, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a formal evacuation warning for the multi-story building, saying that operations in the area would continue to escalate until Hamas accepts Israeli ceasefire terms.

Displaced Palestinian Ahmed Drabi condemned the widespread violence, saying "All areas of Gaza are experiencing the most brutal massacre and genocide in history. Our situation is an absolute catastrophe. We cannot bear to flee from the north to the south because death is everywhere."

Another displaced resident Yasser Arafat, who lost his home in the strike, said, "We cannot endure this situation. I feel we don't even have the strength to live another few hours, or minutes at worst."

Both the Gaza Civil Defense Department and Hamas condemned the strikes.

Israel has announced it would continue targeted attacks on buildings it claims have been repurposed as military infrastructure by Hamas. 

Palestinians recounts panic, desperation after Israeli airstrike flattens residential tower in Gaza

Palestinians recounts panic, desperation after Israeli airstrike flattens residential tower in Gaza

Palestinians recounts panic, desperation after Israeli airstrike flattens residential tower in Gaza

A growing number of Chinese energy companies are increasing their presence in the Persian Gulf as they get deeply involved in the region's energy transition.

As a highlight of China-Gulf cooperation, green energy projects carried out by Chinese companies in Gulf states gained spotlight at the 18th World Future Energy Summit, which took place from Wednesday to Thursday in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

A shining example is the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai. As one of the largest single-site solar parks in the world, the solar thermal plant is a key project to help Dubai achieve its carbon reduction goals and significantly increase the share of clean energy in the city's power mix.

"Upon completion in 2030, it will exceed 8,000 megawatts, and it will reduce 8.5 million tons of carbon emmissions on an annual basis. And it will raise Dubai's clean energy capacity up to 36 percent," said Ali Hayat, a senior engineer of the project.

In recent years, more and more Chinese energy product suppliers have transitioned to a new role as investors by building plants and regional offices in the Gulf region to deepen their participation in local energy transition.

"China has been absurdly in the lead in both ways -- in providing technologies that make the cost of solar panel to be affordable around the world, and also in an amazing increase of the share of renewable energy in the energy system," said Francesco La Camera, director-general of the International Renewable Energy Agency.

Chinese companies seek greater role in Gulf states' energy transition