Israel Defense Forces has pushed into a central Gaza city for the first time since Israel’s war with Hamas began following the militant group’s Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel. 

Tanks rolled into the southern and eastern areas of Deir al-Balah on Monday. The city holds one of four “central camps” in Gaza, The Jerusalem Post reports, and many Gazans have fled to this city since the start of the war. Due to the lack of military activity in the region, the Post reported Hamas is thought to have a presence in the area. 

Israel likely decided to begin conducting a military operation in Deir al-Balah to pressure Hamas to accept a proposed deal that would see 10 living hostages set free, according to Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, a former IDF spokesman and a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of........

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