Watch: Israeli airstrike flattens building housing AP, other media offices in Gaza

An Israeli airstrike has flattened a high-rise building housing the Associated Press and other media offices in Gaza City.

All Associated Press employees and freelancers evacuated the building safely, according to a statement released by President and CEO Gary Pruitt.

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“We are shocked and horrified that the Israeli military would target and destroy the building housing AP’s bureau and other news organizations in Gaza,” Pruitt said. “This is an incredibly disturbing development. We narrowly avoided a terrible loss of life… The world will know less about what is happening in Gaza because of what happened today.”

The owner of the building says he had received a call from the Israeli military that the building would be targeted.

Jawwad Mahdi said he was told to go into the building to make sure all residents have evacuated. He was told he had an hour to make sure everyone has left the building.

The Associated Press said it is seeking information from the Israeli government and is engaged with the US State Department to try to learn more about what happened.

Staffers and residents of the building fled in a panic after being told of the warning.

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