Israeli tanks rolled into Deir al-Balah early Monday, launching a ground assault on the last major population center in Gaza that had largely been spared from previous ground operations in the nearly two-year-old war. The incursion represents a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, which has already displaced millions and devastated much of the Gaza Strip.
According to Israeli military officials, the advance into Deir al-Balah is part of a renewed military campaign, codenamed “Gideon’s Chariots,” aimed at dismantling remaining Hamas infrastructure and pursuing what the military described as “high-value targets.” The operation follows weeks of aerial bombardment in central Gaza and comes after evacuation orders were issued to tens of thousands of residents over the weekend.
Deir al-Balah, a city in central Gaza long considered a relative refuge during the war, had become a hub for internally displaced Palestinians and humanitarian agencies. Until now, it had largely been spared from ground operations, due in part to concerns over the possible presence of Israeli hostages and the concentration of civilians. That changed Monday as Israeli tanks and armored personnel carriers moved in from multiple directions under the cover of airstrikes.
Residents described scenes of panic and disarray. “We were told this area was safe, so many of us came here,” said Ahmad Salama, a father of five who fled northern Gaza earlier in the conflict. “Now we are running again, but we don’t know where to go. There is no safe place left.”
Footage verified by aid organizations and international media showed heavy military vehicles rolling through streets lined with collapsed buildings, as plumes of smoke rose from recent strikes. Multiple witnesses reported intense clashes between Israeli troops and armed fighters, including mortar fire and drone activity.
The Israeli military stated that it was targeting Hamas command centers and tunnels believed to be embedded within the urban fabric of Deir al-Balah. Officials have not provided a timeline for the operation, but acknowledged that “ground maneuvering” would continue as needed to “neutralize threats.”
Palestinian health authorities reported dozens of casualties, though the exact death toll remains unclear due to continued fighting and limited access for medical responders. Hospitals in the area, already stretched beyond capacity, have begun transferring patients to makeshift field clinics closer to the southern coast.
Humanitarian organizations condemned the offensive, warning that the operation could cripple Gaza’s remaining aid infrastructure. Deir al-Balah had housed several critical facilities, including clinics, storage warehouses, and one of the few remaining functional desalination plants.
“The assault on Deir al-Balah is not just a military escalation, it’s a humanitarian catastrophe,” said Philippe Lazzarini, head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). “This city served as a lifeline for thousands who fled violence elsewhere. Its collapse will dramatically worsen the humanitarian situation across Gaza.”
The evacuation orders and renewed hostilities have forced tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians to flee yet again, this time toward already overcrowded shelters along the southern coastline and border areas. Aid agencies reported a surge in demand for food, water, and shelter, with fuel shortages complicating relief distribution.
Israeli officials defended the operation, citing intelligence suggesting that senior Hamas commanders had relocated to Deir al-Balah in recent months. The military also pointed to tunnel networks allegedly being used to store weapons and coordinate attacks on Israeli forces.
International reactions were swift. The European Union called for an immediate ceasefire, while the United Nations urged both sides to ensure the protection of civilians. In Washington, the State Department reiterated its support for Israel’s right to self-defense, while also emphasizing the need for restraint and proportionality.
Deir al-Balah’s sudden transition from sanctuary to battleground underscores the evolving nature of the war, which began in October 2023 and has since become one of the most destructive conflicts in the region’s history. With more than 70 percent of Gaza’s population displaced and much of its infrastructure in ruins, the prospect of a sustainable ceasefire remains distant.
Looking Ahead
As Israeli forces press deeper into central Gaza, the future of Deir al-Balah and the people who once sought safety there remains uncertain. Aid agencies are warning of an imminent collapse in basic services, and diplomatic efforts to halt the violence have yet to yield results. For many Palestinians now displaced for the third or fourth time, the hope of returning home continues to fade under the rumble of tank treads and the roar of fighter jets overhead.
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