At least 17 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks since dawn

Israeli army chief drafts new plan to expand ground operations, to take over Gaza

Listen to article

At least 17 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks across Gaza since dawn, hospital sources said on Monday.

Three people were killed by Israeli shelling in Deir el‑Balah and Bureij camp, central Gaza, medical staff from Al‑Aqsa and Al‑Awda hospitals said. Al‑Shifa Hospital also reported multiple injuries after an apartment in the al‑Nasr neighbourhood, west of Gaza City, was bombarded.

Israeli soldiers stand near tanks in Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the Israel-Gaza border on July 20, 2025. — Reuters

In separate raids, five members of the Abu Taima family were killed when an airstrike struck a displaced persons' tent in al‑Mawasi, west of Khan Younis, Wafa reported. Two others were killed in a drone attack near Jabalia, northern Gaza, and two civilians died in southern Deir el‑Balah.

UN pushes back amid evacuation threat

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) described Israel’s forced displacement order as “yet another devastating blow,” affecting an estimated 50,000 to 80,000 people and displacing at least 1,000 families.

“The newly‑designated area includes several humanitarian warehouses, four primary health clinics, four medical points, and critical water infrastructure,” OCHA said. “Any damage to this infrastructure will have life‑threatening consequences. UN staff are remaining in Deir el Balah.”

An F-15 jet releases a flare as it flies over Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the Israel-Gaza border on July 20, 2025. — Reuters

OCHA head Tom Fletcher wrote on X, “We will stay to help,” warning that Israeli air strikes were “intensifying” in Deir el‑Balah.

Just spoken to @_jwhittall, our superb head of @ochaopt.

He’s in Deir el Balah, Gaza, with Israeli airstrikes intensifying. Surrounded by our team, and civilians we stay to help.

Exceptional courage and integrity on humanitarian frontline. They are best of UN.

And all of us.

— Tom Fletcher (@UNReliefChief) July 20, 2025

Meanwhile, the World Food Programme (WFP) said gunfire from Israeli tanks, snipers and other forces targeted its 25‑truck convoy at the Zikim crossing. The attack caused “countless lives” to be lost and killed at least 79, according to WFP’s X post. “These people were simply trying to access food ... on the brink of starvation.”

Smoke rises after an explosion in Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the Israel-Gaza border on July 20, 2025. — Reuters

Chief of Staff drafts takeover plan

Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has reportedly drafted a plan to intensify ground operations and “take over Gaza,” according to Israel’s Channel 12. This proposal is designed for implementation if no agreement is reached after a proposed 60‑day ceasefire and suggests gradual capture of more territory.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has blocked the plan from being presented to the security cabinet and prevented further ministerial discussion, Channel 12 added.

Eyal Zamir speaks at a podium [File: Handout/Israel’s Ministry of Defence]