Israeli Forces Assault Deir al-Balah, Sparking New Displacement

Civilians Flee Central Gaza City Amidst Ground and Air Offensive

Israeli military forces have initiated a significant ground and air offensive targeting Deir al-Balah in central Gaza. The operation has triggered renewed waves of civilian displacement, adding to the immense suffering of those already uprooted by the ongoing conflict.

Intensified Military Operation

The assault commenced early Monday following evacuation advisories issued by the Israeli military for six residential blocks in the city’s southwestern sector. This area is currently overwhelmed with thousands of individuals displaced from Rafah and Khan Younis in southern Gaza.

Local reports indicate that Israeli tanks and military vehicles, supported by heavy artillery and air strikes, advanced into Deir al-Balah from the Kisufim checkpoint. Numerous shells reportedly hit the Abu al-‘Ajin and Hikr al-Jami’ neighborhoods as ground troops pushed forward.

Humanitarian Impact and Fears

Social media footage captured scenes of explosions and sustained gunfire accompanying the troop movements. Thousands of residents were compelled to flee overnight, seeking refuge in the coastal area of al-Mawasi near Khan Younis, one of the few remaining relatively safe zones in southern Gaza.

There are growing concerns that this latest military push might be an attempt to establish a new corridor, effectively isolating Deir al-Balah from the rest of central Gaza. This would mark the third such strategic axis implemented by Israeli forces, following similar corridors through Gaza City and Rafah.

The United Nations estimates that over 1.7 million Palestinians in Gaza have been displaced since the conflict began, highlighting the devastating impact of repeated military operations on civilian populations (UN OCHA, 2024).