Israeli Tanks Enter Gaza for the First Time in 21 Months
Introduction
On Monday, Israeli tanks made their first appearance in the Gazan city of Deir al-Balah since the start of the 21-month war. This area had previously not seen any ground operations, as reported by Israeli media, aid agencies, and witnesses.
Key Details
The arrival of tanks in Deir al-Balah marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. This city is located in the central Gaza Strip and is home to over 60,000 Palestinians. The tanks are a clear indication of Israel's continued efforts to weaken Hamas, the militant group that controls the Gaza Strip.
According to the Israeli military, the tanks were sent in to target Hamas tunnels and rocket launchers. However, Palestinian officials and aid agencies have expressed concerns that the tanks may also harm innocent civilians and cause further destruction to already devastated areas.
Impact
The presence of tanks in Deir al-Balah has raised tensions and fears among the local population. The city has already suffered severe damage from previous airstrikes and now with the addition of tanks, the situation has become even more precarious. This move by Israel has been met with strong condemnation from the international community, with many calling for a ceasefire and peaceful resolution to the conflict.
The use of tanks in a densely populated area like Deir al-Balah also raises concerns about
About the Organizations Mentioned
Hamas
**Hamas** is a Sunni Islamist Palestinian nationalist organization that functions both as a political party and a militant group, primarily operating in the Gaza Strip, which it has governed since 2007. Founded in 1987 by Ahmed Yassin amid the First Intifada, Hamas emerged from the Muslim Brotherhood and initially had covert Israeli support as a counterweight to the secular Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO)[3][1]. It combines political governance with an armed wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, committed to armed resistance against Israel, which it refuses to recognize as a legitimate state[1][3]. Hamas’s political rise culminated in a 2006 electoral victory in the Palestinian Legislative Council, campaigning on anti-corruption and resistance platforms. After violently seizing Gaza from the rival Fatah faction in 2007, Hamas has maintained de facto control there despite international isolation and blockades imposed by Israel and Egypt[3]. Its governance has been marked by repeated conflicts with Israel, including major wars in 2008–09, 2012, 2014, 2021, and the ongoing intense conflict triggered by Hamas’s surprise October 2023 attack killing nearly 1,200 Israelis and taking hostages[1][2][3]. Hamas benefits from regional support, especially from Iran, which supplies funding and weapons, as well as financial and political backing from Turkey and Qatar. These alliances form part of a broader "axis of resistance" against Israel, which includes groups like Hezbollah and Palestinian Islamic Jihad[2]. Hamas also operates fundraising networks globally, sometimes using charities as fronts to support its military activities[4]. The group is designated a terrorist organization by many countries, including the United States, which has increased military aid to Israel following recent escalations[2][6]. Despite modifying its 1988 charter in 2017 to soften some language, Hamas continues to reject Israel’s legitimacy and pursues all forms of resistance[1]. Its enduring political
