00:00The Israeli military has launched a ground operation on Monday
00:05in the central Gaza city of Deir al-Balah.
00:08Multiple displacement sites and tent camps in the city were targeted by Israeli airstrikes.
00:13It comes just one day after Israel issued evacuation notices in the area,
00:18warning residents that intense operations are imminent.
00:21Locals were seen transporting their belongings as they left Deir al-Balah
00:25and headed to Al Mawasi, an Israeli-designated safe haven
00:28which was also attacked on Monday.
00:31Deir al-Balah is one of the last remaining areas in this trip to not suffer significant damage.
00:36The city hosts hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians
00:39and is one of Gaza's main operational hubs for aid distribution.
00:43The ground operation is the first to take place in the city
00:46since Israel launched its offensive on Gaza in October 2023.
00:50The IDF has previously stated that they've stayed away from Deir al-Balah
00:54because they suspect hostages may be held there.
00:57The IDF said on Sunday that their ground operations, which will be areally supported,
01:02will cut access between the city and the south of the enclave.
01:05The IDF SAYS
