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Israeli military personnel have launched a renewed offensive into central Gaza’s Deir al-Balah on Wednesday, focusing on a refugee camp following fresh intelligence on militant activities in the region.

Israeli troops advanced into Bureij and the eastern sector of Deir al-Balah after executing airstrikes on locations identified as military compounds, weapons depots, and underground infrastructure, as per a statement on Telegram by the Israeli military. The military reported that several fighters had been killed, though clashes continued in central Gaza.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society accused Israeli forces of targeting several residences in the Al-Ja’frawi area, resulting in six fatalities and eight injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli operations persist in the southern city of Rafah, where over a million Palestinians had to flee following initial military engagements late last month.

Israeli officials justify the ongoing military actions as necessary to defeat Hamas, especially following the deadly Palestinian incursion into southern Israel on October 7, which claimed over 1,100 lives and resulted in around 250 hostages being taken, with approximately 130 still held in Gaza. Current estimates suggest around 80 hostages remain alive. Despite this, calls continue to grow, with humanitarian aid groups reporting that over 35,000 people have died in Gaza following Israel’s military operation.

Last week, President Biden announced a potential deal aimed at securing the hostages’ release and establishing a lasting ceasefire, pending ongoing negotiations. However, it remains uncertain if Israel and Hamas will finalize the agreement. As of today, Hamas has indicated that it will not support the deal.