TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Israeli tanks entered the southern and eastern parts of Deir al-Balah city in the Gaza Strip for the first time on Monday, July 21, 2025.
According to NBC News, these areas had previously been untouched by ground forces due to suspicions that Israeli civilians were being held hostage by Hamas. Israeli military sources believe some of the approximately 50 hostages still held may be located in this vicinity.
Deir al-Balah is a densely populated area, home to thousands of Palestinian refugees displaced by the genocide that has now lasted over 21 months since the Oct. 7 attack. Following an Israeli evacuation order, hundreds of residents fled westward and southward.
Civilian Casualties Mount in Renewed Attacks
ABC News reported that Israeli tank fire struck houses and mosques in Deir al-Balah. Local medical personnel confirmed three Palestinians were killed and several others injured in these strikes.
Meanwhile, in the southern town of Khan Younis, Israeli airstrikes killed five people in a tent, including a married couple and their two children.
The Gaza Health Ministry's daily report indicated approximately 130 Palestinians were killed and over 1,000 injured as a result of Israeli attacks in the last 24 hours. This marks the highest number of casualties in recent weeks.
The Israeli military has not issued a direct response regarding the attacks in Deir al-Balah or Khan Younis.
Threat to Humanitarian Aid Operations
An aid organization Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) stated that thousands of refugees, including their own staff, are residing in Deir al-Balah. Steve Cutts, MAP's interim CEO, characterized this recent evacuation order as another assault on humanitarian operations and a deliberate attempt to dismantle Gaza's remaining health and aid systems.
"With Israel's systematic targeting of health and aid workers, no one is safe," Cutts asserted. "Not only are we prevented from carrying out our lifesaving work to support Palestinians, we are also unable to protect our own teams."
MAP also reported suspending essential services, including a primary health clinic that serves hundreds of people daily.
Hospitals Face Collapse Amid Scarcity
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that hospitals are critically low on fuel, medication, and food aid. Ministry spokesperson Khalil Al-Deqran stated that medical staff are now eating only once a day.
Hundreds of residents arrive at hospitals daily, suffering from exhaustion and malnutrition.
In southern Gaza, Israeli special forces captured Marwan Al-Hams, the head of a field hospital, in a raid on Monday. This attack also resulted in the death of a local journalist and injuries to another journalist near a medical facility operated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Reports suggest that the escalation of attacks in Deir al-Balah and the rising death toll have complicated ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel, mediated by Qatar and Egypt with support from the United States.
Editor's Choice: Pope Leo XIV Urges Aid Delivery in Gaza During Phone Call with Palestine's Mahmoud Abbas
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Pope Leo XIV Urges Aid Delivery in Gaza During Phone Call with Palestine's Mahmoud Abbas
41 menit lalu
Pope Leo XIV is facing increasing calls to take direct action in Gaza.
WHO Chief Says Israel Attacks, Detains Agency Staff in Gaza
1 jam lalu
WHO reports that the Israeli military detained two of its staff at their homes in Gaza.
Belgian King Slams Israel's Actions in Gaza as 'A Disgrace to Humanity'
3 jam lalu
Belgian King Philippe speaks up for the first time after almost two years of the Israeli genocide in Gaza.
Gazans Send Desperate Messages as Hunger Worsens in Gaza
4 jam lalu
A desperate message from the residents of Gaza due to worsening hunger caused by the humanitarian aid blockade by Israel.
Israel Launches Strikes in Syria Ahead of Bombing in Damascus
19 jam lalu
Israeli air strike on Damascus is part of a systematic military operation that includes more than 200 attacks in various regions of Syria.
Israeli Soldiers Shooting Gaza Children 'Like in a Game', Says British Surgeon
23 jam lalu
Israeli forces has been deliberately shooting children at Gaza aid sites like in a video game, targeting different body parts on specific days.
Hamas Welcomes Hague Group Agreement to Sanction Israel over Gaza Genocide
1 hari lalu
Hamas welcomes the historic international agreement reached in the capital of Colombia, Bogota, to impose sanctions on Israel
Today's Top 3 News: Saudi Prince Known as 'Sleeping Prince' Dies After 20-Year Coma
1 hari lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
UNRWA Calls for Immediate Access to Gaza, Says It Has Food Stockpiled
1 hari lalu
UNRWA calls on Israel to immediately allow entry into Gaza to distribute live-saving aid.
A 35-Day-Old Baby Dies of Starvation as Israel Massacres 116 Palestinians in Gaza
2 hari lalu
A Palestinian baby has died of starvation in Gaza while Israel continues to block aid supplies and shoot people forced to seek food.
