Thirteen killed in a day as Israeli tanks push west of the yellow line in Deir al-Balah

Israeli tanks and military vehicles moved westward beyond the so-called yellow line in Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza, The New Arab reported on Monday. Residents fear the forces could reach Salah al-Din Street, the territory's main north-south road.

Mahmoud Bassal, spokesperson for Gaza's civil defence, said at least 13 people had been killed and around 60 wounded across the Strip over the previous 24 hours. Two of the dead were killed when a vehicle was struck in Deir al-Balah in the afternoon.

Hamas said two members of its security apparatus were killed on what it called a security mission in central Gaza. The Israeli military said separately that its strikes on Saturday and Sunday killed four operatives, including two Islamic Jihad members, whom it accused of acting in systematic violation of the ceasefire.

The New Arab put the overall death toll in Gaza since October 2023 at 74,555. Estimates cited by the outlet suggest Israel now controls nearly two-thirds of the territory.

A Gaza-based analyst linked the escalation to Israel's general election, held on Tuesday.