Israeli tanks pushed into the southern and eastern districts of the Gazan city of Deir al-Balah on Monday, an area where Israeli sources said the IDF believes some of the remaining hostages may be held.
The IDF issued evacuation orders for the citizens of Deir al-Balah, saying it sought to destroy Hamas's capabilities and infrastructure.
The message included the phrase that the IDF was going to “operate in areas where it has not operated in the past.”
Has the IDF previously operated in Deir al-Balah?
Despite this, the IDF’s statements over the 21-month war have indicated that it undertook airstrikes in Deir al-Balah as early as November 6, 2023.
That was followed by IDF air strikes on the area in 2024 on: January 1, March 25, July 6, July 20, August 4, September 4, October 7, and November 30, as well as on April 13 and May 8 in 2025.
Moreover, the IDF has invaded Deir al-Balah with the 98th Division both from June 5-10, 2024 as well as sometime during the August 16-30, 2024, period.
The Hostages and Missing Families' Forum criticized the new military incursion, saying that the IDF and the government were going to endanger hostages being held by Hamas.
Palestinian media claims three killed by tank shelling
The area is packed with Palestinians who left their homes during 21 months of war in Gaza, hundreds of whom fled west or south after Israel issued an evacuation order.
Local reports claimed that at least three Palestinians were killed and several more wounded after tank shelling in the area hit houses and mosques.
The IDF did not issue an official comment on the new incursion as of Monday afternoon.
Yonah Jeremy Bob and Reuters contributed to this report.