FDD | July 20, 2025
Deir al-Balah (central) OpenStreetMap 2024-01-29. (Photo by Open Street Map contributors – https://www.openstreetmap.org/export#map=18/31.41671/34.35136, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikipedia)
Latest Developments
- Evacuation Notices: The IDF issued warnings calling on Palestinians to evacuate the central-Gaza city of Deir al-Balah on July 20, indicating the start of what would be the first Israeli ground operation in the area since the beginning of the war in Gaza. Israeli Air Force planes dropped evacuation leaflets over the city on Sunday, and the IDF’s chief Arabic spokesperson, Col. Avichay Adraee, urged civilians to move south toward the al-Mawasi humanitarian area. “The IDF continues to operate with great force to destroy the enemy’s capabilities and terror infrastructure in the area, as it expands its activities into an area where it has not operated before,” Adraee said.
- Hostages Held in Deir al-Balah: Deir al-Balah has remained untouched throughout the war, largely due to the belief that some Israeli hostages were held there by Hamas, and that advancing on the city could lead to the terrorist organization killing them. Hamas previously staged cynical hostage release ceremonies in Deir al-Balah during a temporary ceasefire in early 2025, including a February 8 ceremony which saw the release of three extremely emaciated Israeli hostages. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum in Israel stated on July 20 that “the families of hostages are shaken and fearful after the announcement by the IDF of its intent to operate in central Gaza. Can anyone assure us that this will not cost the lives of our loved ones?”
- Other Operations in Gaza: Elsewhere in Gaza, the IDF announced on July 20 that it had eliminated in the Nuseirat area Hamas commander Bashar Thabet, who was “responsible for research and development within Hamas’s weapons manufacturing apparatus, which operates to restore and increase their weapons stockpile.” Additionally, IDF Brigade 646 directed a July 19 strike mission in the Beit Hanoun area of northern Gaza that destroyed “several terror infrastructures and an underground tunnel network.” Israel said that approximately 75 terror targets throughout Gaza were struck in the past 24 hours, including several terrorist cells on their way to attack IDF troops throughout the coastal enclave.
FDD Expert Response
“While the IDF has previously targeted Hamas infrastructure and personnel in Deir al-Balah during the war, the launch of a ground offensive in the central Gaza city is notable. Deir al-Balah remains one of the few areas in Gaza that has yet to experience a major IDF ground incursion against terrorist infrastructure. Hamas’s public response to this offensive will serve as a litmus test for the city’s strategic importance. The more vocal and outraged Hamas becomes about the operation, the clearer the indication that Deir al-Balah holds critical value for the Islamist group.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal
“Hamas has placed the IDF in a grave dilemma by holding Israeli hostages in densely populated areas while launching attacks from the same locations and threatening to harm the hostages if the IDF advances. Hamas must agree to a comprehensive ceasefire deal that includes the immediate release of all remaining hostages — or risk facing increased military pressure on its steadily shrinking territory in Gaza.” — Seth J. Frantzman, Adjunct Fellow
FDD Background and Analysis
“PIJ Financier Killed in Airstrike in Northern Gaza as Wanted Terror Suspects Arrested in West Bank”, FDD Flash Brief
“Keep Qatari Money Out of Post-War Gaza,” by Natalie Ecanow
“Terrorists attempt to abduct IDF soldier in Gaza,” by Joe Truzman
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