Desk Report,
Israeli ground operation in Deir al-Balah, eight houses and three mosques attacked
Israel has launched its first ground operation in the Deir al-Balah area in central Gaza. Israeli tanks have entered the area. Houses and mosques are being shelled. Before the attack, Israel threatened to launch a ground operation in Deir al-Balah and asked residents to evacuate.
Israeli ground operation in Deir al-Balah, eight houses and three mosques attacked
The Israeli military said on Sunday that it would expand its ground operation in Gaza. As part of this, an operation will be carried out in Deir al-Balah. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that there are 50-80 thousand Palestinians in the area. The total population of Gaza is more than two million. Later, Hamid Abu Mugsib (50), who was in Deir al-Balah on Monday, said that the Israeli forces carried out a massive shelling there throughout the night on Sunday. Israeli tanks were seen coming from Khan Yunis in southern Gaza towards Deir al-Balah. In such a situation, he and his family fled from the north of Deir al-Balah to the south. No place is safe.
The explosion shook the entire area like an earthquake, said Abdullah Abu Salim, 48, a resident of Deir al-Balah. He said many displaced Palestinians had taken shelter there. They were feared to be attacked. Many families were calling for help from the Al-Baraka area of Deir al-Balah, said Mahmoud Bassal, a spokesman for the Gaza Civil Defense.
Reuters reported, citing Gaza medical workers, that tank shells hit eight houses and three mosques in Deir al-Balah, killing at least three people. Many were injured. In such a situation, many people fled towards the coastal area of Deir al-Balah and Khan Yunis. Today, Israel also attacked Khan Yunis, killing at least five people.
Israel has been attacking Gaza for more than 21 months. The country’s forces said that they had not previously carried out a ground operation in Deir al-Balah. According to an Israeli source, the country’s military believed that Israeli hostages were being held there. That is why there has been no attack for so long. At least 20 of the 50 hostages still held in Gaza are believed to be alive. On October 7, 2023, Hamas attacked Israel. About 1,200 people were killed in this. About 250 people were taken hostage from Israel and taken to Gaza. Since that day, Israeli forces have been carrying out atrocities in Gaza. About 59,000 Palestinians have been killed in their ongoing attacks in the valley. More than 142,000 people have been injured.
