Israel's Ground Offensive in Deir al-Balah Escalates Humanitarian Crisis

In a significant escalation of military operations, Israel has launched a comprehensive air and ground offensive against Deir al-Balah, a critical humanitarian hub in central Gaza, on July 21, 2025. This assault comes against the backdrop of worsening humanitarian conditions in the region, where the United Nations reports that widespread starvation is increasingly imminent.

The offensive marks the first major military action in Deir al-Balah, which had previously remained relatively unscathed during the ongoing conflict. Reports indicate that over 85 Palestinians were killed in a preceding attack that took place on July 20, 2025, as they sought food aid from a United Nations convoy. The World Food Programme (WFP) confirmed that the majority of the casualties occurred near the border fence with Israel, where desperate civilians gathered in hopes of receiving flour from the aid convoy, only to come under fire from Israeli military forces.

According to Dr. Khalil al-Daqran, a spokesperson for Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, the humanitarian crisis has reached critical levels. "Nineteen people, including children, have died of hunger in the past 24 hours. Hospitals can no longer provide food for patients or staff, many of whom are physically unable to continue working due to extreme hunger," he stated in an interview with the BBC.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has voiced deep concerns regarding the military operations. The organization reported that, following recent evacuation orders affecting between 50,000 to 80,000 residents, 87.8% of Gaza is now under displacement orders, leaving approximately 2.1 million civilians confined to just 12% of the territory. This area includes essential infrastructure such as warehouses, health clinics, and a key desalination plant crucial for the survival of the local population.

Despite the escalation in violence, reports emerged indicating that Israeli officials believed Hamas was nearing a ceasefire agreement. The Israeli military confirmed that it had not yet entered the evacuation zones in Deir al-Balah but stated its commitment to "destroy the enemy's capabilities and terrorist infrastructure in the area."

Tom Fletcher, the UN's under-secretary for humanitarian affairs, emphasized the importance of Deir al-Balah in sustaining humanitarian efforts, stating that any damage to its infrastructure would have life-threatening consequences for the remaining civilian population. "We are witnessing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis that demands immediate international attention," he added.

The Israeli military has faced criticism for its handling of humanitarian operations in Gaza, particularly after the deadly incident involving the UN food convoy. The WFP has condemned the violence against civilians seeking aid, insisting that "shootings near humanitarian missions, convoys, and food distributions must stop immediately."

The situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with OCHA reporting that malnutrition is surging, impacting over 90,000 women and children who are in urgent need of treatment. Nearly one in three individuals in the region is reportedly not eating for days. As the military operations persist, the international community watches closely, urging for a cessation of hostilities and a recommitment to humanitarian principles in the region.

As of now, the fate of the civilians in Deir al-Balah remains uncertain, with the ongoing military offensive raising alarms about the potential for further loss of life and the collapse of humanitarian efforts in an already beleaguered territory.