Israel Launches Major Air & Ground Offensive on Deir al‑Balah
On July 21, 2025, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a coordinated air and ground assault on Deir al‑Balah—marking the first major ground operation in the central Gaza city since the conflict began. The offensive followed evacuation orders for residents ahead of the strikes. Israeli tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery entered southern and eastern parts of the city, while airstrikes hit Hamas-linked sites. Why This Matters Strategic escalation: Deir al‑Balah had largely been spared until now. The IDF attributes the offensive to suspicions that Hamas is holding some of the remaining Israeli hostages there. Civilian impact: Reports indicate at least three Palestinians were killed and several wounded in the tank shelling of homes and mosques. The broader Gaza health ministry confirmed 130+ deaths and over 1,000 injuries in the past 24 hours across the strip. Humanitarian Fallout Displacement surge: Hundreds of families […]
