CAIRO, July 20 – Israel has issued fresh evacuation orders in central Gaza, targeting areas previously untouched by military operations. The directive, dropped via leaflets over densely populated neighborhoods in Deir al-Balah, has intensified fears among civilians and families of hostages, many of whom believe their loved ones may be held in those zones. As humanitarian conditions deteriorate rapidly, medical personnel report dozens of deaths related to starvation, further highlighting the growing urgency for international intervention.
Evacuations Spark Fears of Expanded Assault
The new evacuation orders, issued over the weekend, instructed residents in several districts of southwestern Deir al-Balah to leave immediately and move further south. These areas have served as shelter for hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals since the war began, and until now, had been spared direct military incursions. The Israeli military stated that it aims to dismantle enemy infrastructure and neutralize militant capabilities, indicating a potential new ground operation.
Still, the move has deeply unsettled families of the hostages thought to be inside Gaza. They fear that a military operation in these zones could put the lives of the remaining captives at risk. Out of the original 251 hostages taken during the October 7 attacks, around 50 are believed to remain in Gaza, with about 20 of them presumed alive. The families, expressing their distress, demanded clarity from the military and questioned the timing and consequences of the evacuation strategy. In a public statement, they urged decision-makers to consider the lives of the captives before launching further offensives.
Some local observers believe this new pressure on Deir al-Balah could be a strategic attempt to influence ongoing negotiations between Israel and Hamas. Indirect talks continue in Doha, with discussions focusing on a proposed 60-day ceasefire and potential hostage exchange. So far, progress has been limited, with both sides holding firm to their positions. The military’s recent moves may be aimed at leveraging more concessions in these sensitive discussions.
Hunger Reaches Critical Levels
While military operations escalate, Gaza’s humanitarian crisis continues to deepen. Medical officials at a northern hospital reported that at least 30 individuals were killed while awaiting aid deliveries, adding to the growing list of civilian casualties. Hospitals remain overwhelmed with patients suffering from severe hunger-related symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, and exhaustion.
Local health authorities have raised the alarm, warning that hundreds of lives are at immediate risk due to starvation. According to the Gaza health ministry, 71 children have died of malnutrition since the war began, and approximately 60,000 more are currently suffering from hunger-related illnesses. With essential supplies like flour and cooking oil now nearly impossible to find, food prices have skyrocketed beyond the reach of most families. Even a single meal a day is a struggle for many.
One father, a nurse named Ziad, described his daily ordeal of searching for food for his five children, often returning empty-handed. “Hunger is just as deadly as the airstrikes,” he said, urging for an immediate end to the conflict. Similar stories echo across Gaza, with parents reporting that they avoid staying inside their tents because they cannot bear their children’s questions about food.
Aid organizations, including the United Nations agency focused on Palestinian refugees, have criticized the ongoing restrictions on humanitarian access. The agency claims it has enough food stockpiled to support the entire population of Gaza for over three months, but has been prevented from distributing it effectively. It has called for the immediate lifting of the blockade to allow vital food and medical supplies into the region. The organization stated on social media that one million children are now at risk of starvation and called for swift international action.
Israel has denied accusations that it is intentionally blocking aid and instead points to logistical failures by aid groups and theft by militants. However, those on the ground argue that the lack of coordination and the high-risk security environment make it nearly impossible to deliver aid consistently.
Throughout Sunday, 45 additional deaths were reported due to airstrikes and gunfire across Gaza. The cumulative toll of the conflict, now entering its 22nd month, has devastated the region. More than 58,000 Palestinians are reported to have lost their lives, and the territory has been transformed into a near-uninhabitable landscape. The population, now largely displaced, faces a perilous future as fighting continues and essential services collapse.