IDF launches wave of air strikes, moves armored units ahead of central Gaza offensive

[Eugene]

Source: Ynetnews

IDF launches wave of air strikes, moves armored units ahead of central Gaza offensive

Hostage families worry expansion of ground operations will jeopardize loved ones; residents fear Israel aims to isolate the area, while officials debate military action in zones housing hostages

Yoav Zitun, Shilo Freid, Einav Halabi|06:03

The IDF launched a second wave of aerial strikes on the central Gaza city of Deir al-Balah on Monday after warning civilians to move away from the area to the safety of humanitarian zones to the south.

On Sunday, the Arabic Language military spokesperson issued a warning for civilians in the city to leave immediately ahead of attacks. "The IDF continues to operate with great force to destroy enemy and terrorist infrastructure," the spokesperson said in a post instructing Gazans to move toward the humanitarian zone in al-Mawasi.

https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hyqjftiulx

[Eugene]

1. Israel launches air and ground offensive on Deir al-Balah in central Gaza

Source: The Guardian

Israel launches air and ground offensive on Deir al-Balah in central Gaza

Military targets key humanitarian hub that was relatively unscathed by war after ordering Palestinians to leave

Peter Beaumont
Mon 21 Jul 2025 12.14 BST
Last modified on Mon 21 Jul 2025 13.18 BST

Israel has launched substantial air raids and a ground operation in Gaza, targeting Deir al-Balah, the main hub for humanitarian efforts in the devastated Palestinian territory, amid growing warnings of widening starvation in the coastal strip.

The latest assault comes a day after the highest death toll in 21 months inflicted by the Israeli military on desperate Palestinians seeking food aid, with at least 85 killed on Sunday in what has become a grim and almost daily slaughter.

The UN food agency, the World Food Programme, said the majority of those killed on Sunday had gathered near the border fence with Israel in the hope of getting flour from a UN aid convoy when they were fired on by Israeli tanks and snipers.

Witnesses described massive airstrikes overnight in Deir al-Balah – the last remaining area of Gaza that has not suffered significant war damage.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/21/israel-launches-air-ground-offensive-deir-al-balah-central-gaza

[AloeVera]

2. The last semi-livable city in Gaza. With UN warehouses, medical, some water, sanitation infrastructure..

I was wondering when it, too, would be razed to the ground.

The UN's humanitarian office OCHA said:

It said there were dozens of important resources such as humanitarian warehouses, medical clinics and critical water infrastructure in Deir al-Balah.

"Any damage to this infrastructure will have life-threatening consequences," it warned.

The new order "cuts through Deir al-Balah... further splintering the Strip," Ocha said, adding that it will limit the ability of its humanitarian teams to move safely and effectively in Gaza.

Soon it's going to look like Rafah (of the famous Red Line). Just look at the scale of destruction here:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-33fccfbe-abcc-4af1-bdd2-632b2787cf59