Israel Launches Ground Assault on Central Gaza Amid Escalating Crisis

On July 21, 2025, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) initiated a significant ground and air assault on Deir al-Balah, a densely populated city in central Gaza, marking the first ground invasion into this area amid an escalating military campaign in the Gaza Strip.

This offensive follows a series of forced displacement orders issued by Israel, urging residents of Deir al-Balah and surrounding regions to evacuate, ostensibly for their own safety, local media sources reveal.

Although the practical realities on the ground have rendered such evacuations nearly impossible for many Palestinians.

The Israeli military disseminated thousands of leaflets over Deir al-Balah on July 20, instructing residents, particularly those displaced repeatedly by the conflict, to relocate southwards toward the al-Mawasi area.

Israel designated this southern coastal zone as a “safe area” intended to protect civilians from ongoing hostilities.

Nevertheless, local Palestinians have reported that al-Mawasi itself, along with other southern regions, has been repeatedly targeted by Israeli airstrikes.

This is reportedly breeding distrust and confusion about where, if anywhere, civilians can find refuge.

Overcrowding and a lack of alternative safe havens mean many are effectively trapped.

Reports indicate that most western parts of Gaza and even the so-called safe zones are filled with displaced persons living in tents and open areas with limited resources.

The offensive in Deir al-Balah entails both ground troops and sustained air bombardment aimed at rooting out Hamas militants, whom Israel accuses of embedding themselves within civilian areas, exacerbating the humanitarian toll amid active combat.

The expansion of military operations into central Gaza represents a strategic intensification meant to degrade Hamas’s operational capabilities.

It is also supposedly meant to compel the group toward ceasefire negotiations, although reported talks facilitated by international mediators in Qatar have seen little progress.

The conflict has now extended into its 22nd month, with the Gaza population enduring relentless displacement and acute humanitarian crises.

Humanitarian organizations including Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) have warned that this recent ground assault has led to the suspension of critical medical assistance in Deir al-Balah.

MAP staff operate primary health clinics serving hundreds of civilians daily.

However, Israeli displacement orders and active military engagements now dangerously obstruct the delivery of essential medical supplies and lifesaving care.

The charity highlighted that these forced displacements not only hinder aid work but also imperil health workers on the ground in Gaza, dramatically worsening civilian suffering.

Steve Cutts, interim CEO of MAP, condemned the displacement orders as deliberate attempts to undermine Gaza’s already fragile health and aid systems.

He emphasized that halting these services is catastrophic for the population’s wellbeing.

Cutts noted an increased risk for vulnerable groups such as infants, children, and the elderly who depend heavily on consistent medical support amid ongoing violence and shortages of food and water.

The increased military activity in Deir al-Balah follows Israel’s recent takeover of large swathes of Gaza, with the military claiming control over more than 65 percent of the territory.

The Israeli government and military leadership remain committed to intensifying operations to weaken Hamas, despite international outcry over civilian casualties and calls for humanitarian ceasefires.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has framed the offensive as necessary to safeguard Israeli security while trying to pressure Hamas into meaningful negotiations.

The assault on Deir al-Balah is therefore a critical juncture in the broader Gaza conflict, representing both an escalation in military tactics and a profound humanitarian emergency.

The inability of civilians to escape hostilities due to overcrowded conditions and continued targeting of purported “safe zones” underscores the immense challenges facing Gaza’s two million inhabitants.

Moreover, the suspension of medical aid and attacks on healthcare infrastructure further deepen the crisis, threatening a collapse of basic services essential for survival.

International actors remain engaged in efforts to broker ceasefire agreements, but stagnation persists amid ongoing violence.

Meanwhile, the people of Deir al-Balah and the wider Gaza Strip face acute risks of starvation, medical neglect, and displacement as ground battles rage and aerial bombardments continue.

In summary, Israel’s launch of a ground assault in Deir al-Balah alongside an intensified air campaign signals a new, more aggressive phase of the Gaza conflict.

It accompanies forced displacement orders that have proven impractical given the scarcity of truly safe zones, resulting in widespread humanitarian distress.

Medical aid agencies have been forced to suspend operations in the city, exacerbating civilian suffering amid the expanding military offensive.

The situation remains tense and tragic, emblematic of the intractable and devastating nature of the prolonged Gaza conflict.

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