Israeli tanks rolled into parts of Deir al-Balah on Monday for the first time during the war, entering densely populated neighborhoods of displaced Palestinians. Military sources say the area may be holding remaining hostages captured on October 7.
The operation was matched by a surge in deadly strikes across Gaza. The health ministry reported at least 130 deaths and over 1,000 injuries within 24 hours—making it one of the highest single-day tolls in recent weeks.
According to local reports, shelling in Deir al-Balah killed three people when homes and mosques came under fire. In Khan Younis, an Israeli airstrike killed a family of four—including two young children—while they were inside a tent, medics said.
No official Israeli comment has been made regarding these strikes.
Hostage Concerns Drive Military Entry
The Israeli military has avoided Deir al-Balah until now, believing it may be a location where hostages are being kept. Of the original 251 people kidnapped during the October 7 attacks, around 50 are thought to remain in Gaza. At least 20 are believed to still be alive.
The families of the hostages are putting direct pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, demanding they explain how the army will protect their relatives.
Their demand came with a stark warning from the Hostage Families Forum, which stated that “The people of Israel will not forgive anyone who knowingly endangered the hostages—both the living and the deceased.”
Aid Blockages and Starvation Deepen Crisis
As the offensive continues, Gaza’s humanitarian situation is collapsing. Health officials warned of looming “mass deaths” from hunger. Nineteen people have reportedly died of starvation since Saturday. Hospitals, already stretched thin, are running out of fuel, food, and medicine.
Staff at medical centers are reportedly surviving on one meal a day. Hundreds of exhausted people arrive at these facilities daily, seeking help.
UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, posted on social media that it had received “desperate messages” from its own staff inside Gaza. It said enough food was stored just outside the strip to support the entire population for three months.
“Lift the siege and let aid in safely and at scale,” the agency wrote.
Also Read: At Least 67 Killed in Gaza While Waiting for Aid as Hunger Crisis Deepens
Journalist Killed in Raid on Field Hospital
In southern Gaza, an Israeli undercover unit reportedly arrested Dr. Marwan Al-Hams, the head of Gaza’s field hospitals. The raid took place outside a facility run by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
A local journalist was killed during the operation. Another was injured. The Red Cross confirmed it treated patients but withheld further comment.
Undercover raids are uncommon in this conflict. Israel has accused Hamas of operating from hospitals, a charge the group denies.
Aid Convoys Targeted as Tensions Rise
Efforts to deliver humanitarian aid continue to face deadly obstacles. On Sunday, Gaza’s health ministry said 67 people were killed while waiting for UN aid trucks. The day before, 36 others were reportedly shot and killed during a similar incident.
The Israeli military said warning shots were fired at what it called “an immediate threat.” It also questioned the reported casualty numbers but said it supports the safe delivery of aid.
ALSO READ | At Least 36 Killed Near Gaza Aid Site Amid Reports of Israeli Gunfire
Ceasefire Talks Face New Setbacks
Negotiations for a 60-day truce, brokered by Egypt and Qatar with U.S. backing, appear to be on thin ice. A Hamas official told Reuters that the increasing death toll and worsening hunger are hardening their stance. No breakthrough has been announced.
The war, now entering its 10th month, began when Hamas-led militants entered Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people and abducting 251, according to Israeli tallies.
The toll of Israel’s military offensive has been staggering. Health officials in Gaza report that over 59,000 Palestinians have been killed. The campaign has displaced almost the entirety of Gaza’s 2.3 million people and left crucial infrastructure decimated.
This reality has left residents in places like Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis with nowhere safe to turn. With tanks advancing and starvation setting in, they say a pause in the fighting feels less and less likely.
