Israel launches air and ground offensive on Deir al-Balah in central Gaza

<p>Military targets key humanitarian hub that was relatively unscathed by war after ordering Palestinians to leave</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/jul/21/gaza-israel-war-latest-situation-updates-live-news">Middle East crisis – live updates</a></p></li></ul><p>Israel has launched substantial air raids and a ground operation in Gaza, targeting Deir al-Balah, the main hub for humanitarian efforts in the devastated Palestinian territory, amid growing warnings of widening starvation in the coastal strip.</p><p>The latest assault comes a day after the highest death toll in 21 months inflicted by the Israeli military on <a href="http://theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/20/pope-condemns-barbarity-of-israel-war-gaza">desperate Palestinians seeking food aid</a>, with at least 85 killed on Sunday in what has become a grim and almost daily slaughter.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/21/israel-launches-air-ground-offensive-deir-al-balah-central-gaza">Continue reading...</a>