The palaces are symbolic of the regime, and the military planners are somewhat conflicted in how to handle them. Ideally, the bad guys would be killed, and the palaces left for the people. But, taking out the palaces is a sign to the public that the regime's power is small. I don't think of it as trying to humiliate the senses of the leaders, but instead, of lifting the general public OVER its soon-to-be-ex leaders.