Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Saturday, May 17, 2025
From the Liveblog of
Saturday, May 17, 2025
IDF said advancing toward Deir al-Balah, heavy strikes across Gaza amid new offensive
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleEmanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
Israeli tanks parked in a staging area in southern Israel, near the border with Gaza, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
Palestinian media reports that IDF ground troops advanced toward central Gaza’s Deir al-Balah overnight.
According to the reports, heavy artillery fire and airstrikes were carried out in the eastern Deir al-Balah area as the forces advanced.
Deir al-Balah is one of the few areas of Gaza where ground troops have not operated in yet during the war. Forces have operated on the outskirts previously, but not deep within the town.
The IDF said last night that it had begun the first stages of a new Gaza offensive, during which it was carrying out intensive strikes and seizing strategic territory.
Palestinian media reports heavy strikes across all of Gaza overnight.
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