Israeli Forces Advance in Southern Gaza, Thousands Displaced Amid Renewed Clashes

CAIRO – Israeli forces intensified their operations in the southern Gaza Strip on July 28, sending tanks deeper into several key towns as fighting with Hamas-led militants escalated. Gaza health officials reported that Israeli military strikes had killed 66 Palestinians across the enclave in the past 24 hours.

The Israeli military advanced into the towns of Al-Karara, Al-Zanna, and Bani Suhaila, located east of Khan Younis, resulting in the deaths of at least nine Palestinians earlier on July 28, according to medics. Residents reported intense fighting in eastern Khan Younis, where the Israeli army was active. The latest incursions prompted thousands more families to flee their homes, seeking refuge in overcrowded areas in Al-Mawasi to the west and north to Deir Al-Balah.

The Israeli military stated that the raid in eastern Khan Younis was a response to renewed attacks, including rocket fire from those areas, and aimed to prevent Hamas from regrouping. It claimed that forces had killed dozens of militants and destroyed military infrastructure in the region.

In Rafah, near the border with Egypt, Israeli forces advanced further into the northern parts of the city, although they have not yet gained full control. Tanks also shelled areas in the central Gaza Strip, including Bureij camp, Nuseirat camp, and Juhr El-Deek village.

On July 28, CIA Director William Burns was expected to meet in Rome with his Israeli and Egyptian counterparts and Qatar’s prime minister for talks on a Gaza ceasefire and the release of hostages by Hamas. Hamas is seeking a ceasefire agreement to end the war in Gaza, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed that the conflict will only end once Hamas is defeated.

Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported that Israel’s response to the latest ceasefire proposal was handed to Washington on July 27 ahead of the expected meeting. This is the latest effort to reach an agreement after months of both Israel and Hamas blaming each other for the stalemate.

Israel also announced on July 28 that it would strike hard against Hamas ally Hezbollah, accusing the Iran-backed group of killing 12 children and teenagers in a rocket attack on a football field in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. This attack has escalated tensions and raised fears of a broader conflict between the heavily armed adversaries.

According to local health authorities, more than 39,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive in Gaza, though this number does not distinguish between fighters and non-combatants. Israel, which has lost 328 soldiers in Gaza combat, estimates that fighters account for about a third of the Palestinians killed since it launched its military offensive in response to a Hamas-led attack in southern Israel in October 2023. The attack on October 7 resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people and the capture of 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.