Palestinian media reported a series of extensive Israeli airstrikes and shelling in Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip. Airstrikes and tank fire were also reported in eastern Gaza City, along with armored vehicle fire in Deir al-Balah, where Palestinian movement was reportedly restricted.
This is the first time the IDF has operated in the Deir al-Balah area, which is believed to have held, and may still be holding, several hostages. Some of the recent hostage releases reportedly took place in that area. In parallel to the air and ground operations, Palestinians reported five people killed in an Israeli strike in the Al-Mawasi area.
Video: Footage from Gaza: Gazans swarm aid trucks, cheer at IDF soldiers
Meanwhile, IDF Arabic-language spokesperson Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee released rare footage showing Israeli soldiers standing just meters away from large crowds of Gazans receiving humanitarian aid. The video was published in response to claims that the IDF has been shooting civilians in aid distribution centers.
In the video, hundreds of Gazans are seen looting a humanitarian aid truck that entered the Strip. Although the soldiers were on high alert and prepared to open fire to disperse the crowd, they were heard instructing one another: "No one opens fire."
Adraee described the scene: "This exposed all of Hamas' lies. In a heartbreaking scene this afternoon, IDF soldiers stood firm just meters away as dozens of Gaza residents received humanitarian aid. Not a single shot was fired. The decision was clear: do not shoot."
He added, "The Palestinian response was not fear, but hope. Civilians began greeting and cheering our soldiers as if they were seeing life after darkness."
Addressing direct accusations that the IDF is deliberately targeting civilians, Adraee said: "There is no famine, no deliberate killing, and no intentional harm to those seeking aid. There is only Hamas propaganda, spread by empty media outlets trying to salvage what remains of a defeated Hamas."
