Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Monday, July 21, 2025
From the Liveblog of
Monday, July 21, 2025
Troops said operating in central Gaza’s Deir al-Balah for first time since start of war
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleEmanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
A man and woman ride in a donkey-drawn cart while behind smoke billows from Israeli strikes, along Salaheddin road in Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip on July 21, 2025. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP)
Israeli troops have begun ground operations in the Deir al-Balah area of central Gaza, for the first time since the beginning of the war.
Earlier, it was reported in Gaza that IDF tanks advanced into southern and eastern areas of Deir al-Balah. Several people were reportedly killed by tank shelling there.
The IDF yesterday issued an evacuation warning for several zones in the southwest of Deir al-Balah.
The ground operations come after Palestinian reports of artillery shelling and airstrikes overnight and this morning in the area.
The IDF has not yet officially commented.
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