Israeli troops launched a ground and air assault on Deir al-Balah in central Gaza early Monday, marking the first ground offensive in the city since the war against Hamas began 21 months ago. The city, swollen with civilians displaced from Rafah and Khan Younis, is now facing renewed violence as tanks, artillery, and aircraft strike residential areas.
The operation began shortly after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued evacuation orders to six neighborhoods in the southwestern part of the city. Residents fled through the night, moving toward the coastal town of al-Mawasi one of the last accessible shelters for civilians in the region.
Heavy bombardment hit Abu al-‘Ajin and Hikr al-Jami’ as Israeli tanks entered the city from the Kisufim checkpoint. Local journalists reported intense shelling and gunfire. Video footage posted on social media showed explosions lighting up the night sky, with gunfire echoing through the streets.
Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee confirmed that the IDF was “expanding its operations” into new areas. However, the IDF has not publicly responded to requests for additional information on the scope or objective of the incursion.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned that the latest offensive threatens key humanitarian operations. “Any damage to clinics, water systems, or aid warehouses will have life-threatening consequences,” the agency said in a statement.
OCHA added that the evacuation order issued Sunday “splinters the central region of Gaza” and places thousands of displaced civilians and aid workers at risk. Dozens of UN staff remain in Deir al-Balah, including Palestinian Territories response lead Jonathan Whittall, who chose to stay behind during the airstrikes.
Civilians, already driven from homes in the south, are once again packing their belongings and moving by foot, bicycle, or donkey carts. Photos show long lines of families carrying mattresses and supplies through dust-covered roads.
The offensive has raised alarm among the families of Israeli hostages believed to be held in the area. Human rights groups and hostage advocacy organizations have called on the government to ensure the safety of captives during military operations.
Meanwhile, Gaza’s humanitarian crisis is intensifying. Dr. Khalil al-Daqran, a representative of al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, said 19 people among them children have died of starvation within the past 24 hours. “We cannot feed patients or our own staff,” he told reporters. “Even baby formula is completely unavailable.”
Israeli restrictions have prevented international journalists from entering Gaza independently, limiting firsthand reporting. The press and other outlets have been relying on local correspondents and aid organizations for verified updates.
Military analysts warn that if Israel establishes a new ground corridor through Deir al-Balah, it would mark the third such route in Gaza, after the Netzarim corridor in the north and the Morag axis in Rafah. The creation of these corridors has fragmented the Strip and made aid access increasingly difficult.
The IDF maintains that Hamas fighters are embedded among civilians and claims its actions are targeted at militant infrastructure. Gaza officials say the result has been widespread civilian casualties, hunger, and further displacement.
As Israeli troops press deeper into central Gaza, the humanitarian outlook continues to deteriorate compounding the suffering of those who have already lost homes, families, and basic services.
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