Deir al-Balah: Israeli forces have launched a combined ground and air assault on Deir al-Balah, triggering a fresh wave of displacement among civilians already uprooted by months of conflict.
The assault came just hours after the Israeli military ordered evacuations from six residential blocks in the city’s southwest. The densely packed area, sheltering thousands displaced from Rafah and Khan Younis, was hit with intense artillery and airstrikes.
The renewed assault forced thousands of residents to flee overnight toward al-Mawasi, a coastal zone near Khan Younis that remains one of the few areas not yet subject to major offensives.
Just spoken to @_jwhittall, our superb head of @ochaopt.
He’s in Deir el Balah, Gaza, with Israeli airstrikes intensifying. Surrounded by our team, and civilians we stay to help.
Exceptional courage and integrity on humanitarian frontline. They are best of UN.
And all of us.
— Tom Fletcher (@UNReliefChief) July 20, 2025
There are growing concerns that the operation may aim to create a new military corridor isolating Deir al-Balah from surrounding regions. If confirmed, it would be the third such axis after the establishment of the Netzarim corridor in southern Gaza City and the Morag axis in Rafah.
The Israeli military confirmed, it had issued evacuation orders for Deir al-Balah, a first since the war against Hamas began 21 months ago. Military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said Israel was expanding its activities into an area where it has not operated before.
The UN’s humanitarian coordination office, OCHA, confirmed that its head of operations in the Palestinian Territories, Jonathan Whittall, remains in Deir al-Balah. Tom Fletcher, the UN under-secretary-general stated that, “He’s in Deir el Balah, Gaza, with Israeli air strikes intensifying. He’s surrounded by our team, and civilians we stay to help. They are the best of the UN.”
Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), a UK-based NGO, described the situation as extremely critical, with Israeli shelling reportedly taking place just hundreds of metres from their office. MAP’s communications officer, Mai Elawawda, said military vehicles were just 400 metres away from our colleagues and their families, who endured a night of fear and chaos.
Elawawda added that uncertainty grips everyone in the city. Deir al-Balah had remained one of the few relatively intact areas in Gaza, with more buildings still standing, functioning health points, and critical infrastructure like desalinated water and waste systems. Humanitarian agencies, including the UN, had relocated key operations there after Israeli troops entered Rafah last year.
Previously, Israeli military sources cited concerns about hostages possibly being held in Deir al-Balah as a reason for avoiding major ground incursions. What prompted the shift in military strategy remains unclear.
TRENDING | Japan PM vows to stay on despite election setback
