Israeli Forces Enter Central Gaza City, Evoking Alarm Over Hostages and Aid Workers
Deir Al-Balah becomes the latest focal point of Israeli military operations in Gaza, sparking international criticism over humanitarian concerns.
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip: For the first time on Monday, Israeli ground troops ventured into parts of Deir Al-Balah, a central Gaza city that has so far been spared major destruction during the ongoing conflict.
This incursion appears to be part of Israel's strategy to carve out military corridors within Palestinian territories.
Deir Al-Balah is unusual among Gaza cities in having avoided significant ground operations and widespread devastation over 21 months of war.
Some speculate that Hamas may be holding a substantial number of hostages there, given the city's relative safety.
The main group representing families of hostages expressed shock and alarm at the incursion, calling for explanations from Israeli leaders.
The Israeli government maintains that its efforts to seize territory in Gaza aim to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages.
However, this strategy is contentious during ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
This development follows an accusation by the UN food agency that Israeli forces fired on Palestinians seeking humanitarian aid over the weekend.
The Health Ministry of Gaza described it as one of the deadliest attacks on aid seekers, highlighting the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the region.
In response to these events, the UK, France, and 23 other Western-aligned countries issued a statement condemning Israel's restriction of humanitarian aid and calling for the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza.
Residents reported that Israel ordered evacuations with pamphlets distributed early in the day, followed by an incursion two hours later.
Witnesses described Israeli forces flattening structures with bulldozers and tanks.
The UN spokesperson confirmed damage to two guesthouses in Deir Al-Balah due to shrapnel, though the cause remains under investigation.
The situation has pushed tens of thousands into Deir Al-Balah as a refuge from repeated displacement waves in Gaza.
Currently, 87.8% of Gaza is under evacuation orders or within Israeli military zones, leaving only 12% of the territory accessible for about 2.1 million civilians, where essential services have collapsed.
Israel has significantly expanded its control over Gaza, dividing it with corridors reaching from the border to the sea in an effort to force Hamas into releasing more hostages.
In response to the Deir Al-Balah incursion, a forum representing hostages and their families issued a statement emphasizing that endangering these lives is unforgivable.
The international community's response to these events reflects growing concern over the humanitarian impact of the conflict.
The World Food Programme condemned Israeli forces' actions against an aid convoy in northern Gaza, attributing 'countless lives' lost to their actions.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported at least 80 fatalities from the incident, while Israel’s military defended its actions, disputing casualty figures.
This incursion appears to be part of Israel's strategy to carve out military corridors within Palestinian territories.
Deir Al-Balah is unusual among Gaza cities in having avoided significant ground operations and widespread devastation over 21 months of war.
Some speculate that Hamas may be holding a substantial number of hostages there, given the city's relative safety.
The main group representing families of hostages expressed shock and alarm at the incursion, calling for explanations from Israeli leaders.
The Israeli government maintains that its efforts to seize territory in Gaza aim to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages.
However, this strategy is contentious during ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
This development follows an accusation by the UN food agency that Israeli forces fired on Palestinians seeking humanitarian aid over the weekend.
The Health Ministry of Gaza described it as one of the deadliest attacks on aid seekers, highlighting the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the region.
In response to these events, the UK, France, and 23 other Western-aligned countries issued a statement condemning Israel's restriction of humanitarian aid and calling for the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza.
Residents reported that Israel ordered evacuations with pamphlets distributed early in the day, followed by an incursion two hours later.
Witnesses described Israeli forces flattening structures with bulldozers and tanks.
The UN spokesperson confirmed damage to two guesthouses in Deir Al-Balah due to shrapnel, though the cause remains under investigation.
The situation has pushed tens of thousands into Deir Al-Balah as a refuge from repeated displacement waves in Gaza.
Currently, 87.8% of Gaza is under evacuation orders or within Israeli military zones, leaving only 12% of the territory accessible for about 2.1 million civilians, where essential services have collapsed.
Israel has significantly expanded its control over Gaza, dividing it with corridors reaching from the border to the sea in an effort to force Hamas into releasing more hostages.
In response to the Deir Al-Balah incursion, a forum representing hostages and their families issued a statement emphasizing that endangering these lives is unforgivable.
The international community's response to these events reflects growing concern over the humanitarian impact of the conflict.
The World Food Programme condemned Israeli forces' actions against an aid convoy in northern Gaza, attributing 'countless lives' lost to their actions.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported at least 80 fatalities from the incident, while Israel’s military defended its actions, disputing casualty figures.
