Middle East: Israel launches Deir al-Balah ground offensive – DW – 07/21/2025
It is the first time Israel has launched a ground offensive in Deir al-Balah in the 21 months since it began its attacks in the region in the wake of the October 7, 2023 attacks.
On Sunday, the Israeli military warned of imminent action against Hamas fighters in the area. An army spokesman called on residents to leave the area in a post in Arabic on X.
The Israeli military continues "to operate with intensity to eliminate terrorists and to dismantle terrorist infrastructure in the area and is expanding its activities into new areas," the army said in a statement. "For your safety, immediately evacuate southward toward Al-Mawasi."
Situated in the southwest of the embattled area, Al-Mawasi was designated by Israel as a "humanitarian zone" earlier in the war. However, Israel has since attacked there multiple times, with its military saying it was targeting Hamas facilities.
Meanwhile, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned the mass displacement order had dealt "yet another devastating blow" to the Gaza Strip.
Initial estimates indicated that between 50,000 and 80,000 people were in the area when Sunday's order was given, including some
30,000 people sheltering in 57 displacement sites, OCHA said in a statement.
Israel has launched a ground offensive in Deir al-Balah, a city in central Gaza.
This comes after the Israeli military warned of imminent action against Hamas fighters in the area and issued evacuation orders.
Follow along as DW brings you the latest reports, explainers and analysis on developments across the Middle East.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
DW
3 hours ago
- DW
Protest against Israeli cruise ship sparks debate in Greece – DW – 07/27/2025
Protesters on the island of Syros said it was unacceptable to welcome Israeli tourists while Palestinians in the Gaza Strip were starving and decried the increasingly close relationship between Israel and Greece. "We owe an apology to these friends of Greece who chose to spend their holidays here and were forcibly denied it by some," Greek Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis wrote on the social media platform X. "Our country remains hospitable to all and antisemitism has no place here!' His comments came in response to last Tuesday's protests on the island of Syros, where around 300 demonstrators assembled at the island's port carrying Palestinian flags and a large banner that said, "Stop the genocide." They were there to meet the MS Crown Iris, a ship owned by the Israeli cruise line, Mano Maritime. The protest was organized by locals who wanted to show that it wasn't acceptable to greet Israeli tourists while Palestinians in Gaza were starving, due to Israel's blockade on aid entering the occupied territory. Around 1,600 passengers were on the ship, which had set sail from Israel on Sunday. Some aboard reacted angrily to the portside protest, waving Israeli flags and even insulting the demonstrators, calling out "may your village burn," a slogan popular with Israeli right-wing extremists. The cruise line ultimately decided the passengers shouldn't disembark at Syros and continued on its journey to Cyprus. It's not often this kind of thing happens in Greece, where there have been fewer pro-Palestinian demonstrations than in many other European countries. But every now and again, there has been some anti-Israel action in the seafaring EU nation. On July 16, dockworkers and activists tried to prevent the unloading of steel meant for military purposes in Israel. The activists said the cargo was transferred from one ship, the Ever Golden, to another, the Cosco Shipping Pisces, in an attempt to keep the cargo "under the radar." The dockworkers' union said that they wouldn't allow the port to become a base for any military actions. There were similar protest actions in October 2024, and these are expected to continue. Meanwhile, the episode on Syros has led to heated debate in Greece. Many locals say the protest was racist and some called the demonstrators "shameless fascists." Others supported the demonstrators, saying the Israeli tourists should be informed of what their government doing in Gaza. Those who are firmly on Israel's side have accused the others of antisemitism. This is despite the fact that among those Greeks are some right-wing extremists who are actually traditionally antisemitic themselves. Now, however, they admire Israel's military strength and see Israel as an ally, mostly against Turkey, but also against Muslims in general, whom they accuse of trying to change the European way of life. The pro-Palestinian group is mostly left wing, who insist their criticism has nothing to do with antisemitism. In fact, they say that antisemitism is being worsened by Israeli actions in Gaza. Opinion polls in Greece suggest that just under half of all locals are neutral about the conflict in Gaza. However, among the other half of the population, those who are not neutral, support for Israel has declined after almost two years of fighting in Gaza. In a survey by the Eteron Institute for Research and Social Change, conducted in late April, interviewees were asked who they most supported in the conflict. Just over 40% answered "neither side." Of the rest, 30% favored the Palestinian side and 17.6% favored Israel. That's a significant change from November 2023 — immediately after the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7 — when 34% supported Israel. Further detailed results show that almost 50% of those Greeks who support the conservative ruling party, New Democracy, also support Israel. Those who prefer the far-right party, Voice of Reason, also support Israel. Among those who support PASOK, a social democratic party, only 12% like Israel while 34% are pro-Palestinian. The rest of the PASOK supporters are neutral. Further left though, of the Greeks who support the local Communist party and other left-wing parties, between 74% and 84% are pro-Palestinian. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, a member of New Democracy, supports Israel without reservation and has called Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu "his friend." Mitsotakis actually visited Netanyahu in Israel even after the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for the Israeli leader's arrest for crimes against humanity and war crimes. In June 2025, when Israel was targeted by Iran, civilian Israeli airplanes were allowed to take shelter on Greek islands. Netanyahu's own official plane was parked in Athens. For a long time, Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis has been trying to maintain a more balanced stance, remaining in contact with Palestinian leadership and insisting on his support for a two-state solution. Along with 28 other countries, including many European nations, Greece did sign the recent resolution calling on Israel to end the conflict in Gaza and fulfill its humanitarian obligations to the civilian population. Still, left-wing opposition politicians maintain their government's position is wrong and issued a joint statement at the end of May, calling on the Greek government to end military cooperation with Israel. Close cooperation between Israel and Greece began long before Mitsotakis became prime minister. The alliance really became closer around 2008. This was solidified by a flurry of visits of heads of state in 2010 and ever since, there's been strategic cooperation between the two nations. Before that time, relations were cooler. Athens was typically pro-Arab and Greece was the only European country to vote against the United Nations resolution of 1947 that effectively led to the founding of the state of Israel. This was due to Athens' ties with the Arab world. Greece did de facto recognize Israel in 1949, but it wasn't until May 1990 that then-Prime Minister Konstantinos Mitsotakis — the father of Greece's current prime minister — officially recognized Israel and diplomatic relations were normalized. At the same time, Mitsotakis also promoted diplomatic relations with Palestinian leadership. Today, the relationship between the two countries is close, especially in terms of economic, energy and military cooperation. For Israelis, Greece remains an attractive vacation destination — if only because of its geographical proximity — and Greek food and music are very popular in Israel. Many Greek artists regularly perform in Israel. Most recently, popular singer Glykeria faced backlash after announcing she would perform view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Local Germany
3 hours ago
- Local Germany
Police hurt and dozens arrested at Berlin pro-Palestinian demonstration
According to police, about 10,000 demonstrators participated in the rally on Saturday in support of Palestinians, but authorities moved in to disperse the crowd as organisers struggled to restore order. The arrests were related to public order disturbances, including resisting police and throwing bottles or physical altercation, but also the use of anti-Semitic slogans as well as "symbols of anti-constitutional and terrorist organisations", police said on social media. The "Internationalist Queer Pride for Liberation" movement, which on its website says there is "no queer liberation without anti-imperialist, anti-colonial, and anti-Zionist struggle", called the rally. The pro-Palestinian demonstration took place as Berlin's annual Pride parade was being held in another city district, where 64 arrests were also made, for insults, assault and also the alleged use of symbols deemed linked to "terrorist organisations". Another demonstration, this one by far-right militants opposed to the Pride march, also took place, with police telling AFP that 20 people there were arrested. READ ALSO: IN PICTURES: Hundreds of thousands march at Berlin Pride demonstration Pro-Palestinian protests have proliferated in Germany and elsewhere in Europe. The demonstrations reflect heightened concerns as the Israel-Hamas conflict grinds on, with Israel pursuing a devastating military operation in Gaza following Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack. Advertisement The Hamas attack in Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. The Israeli campaign has killed 59,733 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory. Germany, seeking to atone for the Holocaust, has long been one of Israel's most steadfast supporters. But as the civilian toll and plight in Gaza has risen, it has recently sharpened its criticism of its ally. Germany recently said it regards the recognition of a Palestinian state as "one of the final steps on the path to achieving a two-state solution".
DW
5 hours ago
- DW
As France's Africa policy collapses how do companies adjust? – DW – 07/27/2025
With the political leaders of francophone Africa increasingly turning their backs on their former colonial rulers, French corporations have been forced to rethink doing business with Africa without Paris' support. The disruption is now in full swing, with more and more African countries, particularly in the Sahel region of northern and western Africa, rejecting the so-called Francafrique policy by their former colonial power, France. The term refers to a complex and controversial network of political, economic, social and military ties between France and its former African colonies, describing a kind of special relationship characterized by ongoing French influence in these nations. Often described as neocolonial, France's Africa policy is under massive political and popular pressure, and the fight against it is openly challenging Paris' military, diplomatic and economic footprint in Africa. The Sahel region stretches from the Sahara Desert in the north to the savannas in the south, encompassing several countries, including Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Chad. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Antoine Glaser is a French journalist and former director of Paris-based magazine — a leading publication focused on Africa with editions in English and French. He said French companies with operations in the region enjoyed "preferential treatment," especially during the Cold War era due to the Francafrique policy. "They thought they were at home in Africa," he told DW, and ignored more recent realities such as the fact that Africa has "gone global and France didn't see China coming." One such stark reality, he added, is Chinese companies now have a 25% market share in French-speaking Africa, while France's share has tumbled to "between 6% and 7%." Moreover, French multinational nuclear fuel cycle corporation Orano announced last September that it would suspend production at its Arlit uranium mine in northern Niger due to financial difficulties faced by its Nigerien subsidiary, Somair. The decision came as border closures between Niger and Benin, triggered by the July 2023 coup, had blocked all uranium exports, Orano said in a statement, adding: "In spite of efforts to find alternative possibilities to export the uranium produced by Somair and to relaunch commercial activities, all the proposals made to the Nigerien authorities have remained unanswered." In June 2024, Orano also lost its mining license for the Imouraren uranium deposit due to a decision by the military government, which revoked the license following a period of tensions and ultimatum. Situated about 160 kilometers (100 miles) from Agadez — the largest town in central Niger — the Imouraren mine holds one of the world's largest uranium deposits. Mining was launched by French nuclear group Areva, rebranded as Orano in 2018, which mothballed the mine in 2015 due to unfavorable market conditions. Since then, tensions have illustrated the fragility of a system in which military and diplomatic presence supported economic interests. Beyond the uranium sector, France's whole model of influence is being destabilized, affecting sectors like infrastructure, telecommunication, energy and public works — all symbols of France's presence that are now being regularly challenged. In February 2023, French President Emmanuel Macron presented a new strategy, entitled "Our Future The Africa-France Partnership," and offering new forms of partnerships. Unveiled by Macron ahead of his tour of Central Africa, the strategy advocates abandoning old paradigms and puts a new emphasis on economic and trade relations rather than focusing on security issues. The central idea of this new model is based on a transition from "a logic of aid to a logic of solidarity investments and partnerships," and is meant to be a "symbiotic relationship" beneficial to all parties. What France used to consider as its "backyard" for a long time is disappearing amid wider change in the Sahel region. In addition, Africa as a whole is no longer France's exclusive business playground. Countries like Turkey, Russia, China and even Germany are advancing their positions, forcing French companies to readjust their business policy if they are to survive in an increasingly competitive environment. A French corporate consultant, speaking on condition of anonymity, told DW that in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, the real French presence was "already marginal before recent tensions" with their colonial motherland. In the mining industry, he said, the main players are now often from Australia or Canada, like Toronto-based mining giant Barrick Mining Corporation. "The perception that France is omnipresent is stronger than the reality," he said. He also noted that behind "official posturing," a strategy was becoming clearer: "Maintain a presence, but through more indirect means." French companies would now seek to maintain market share "without provoking rejection" by launching joint ventures, local partnerships or the creation of project companies under local law. "There is now a dynamic in which these companies are adapting through cooperating more with local partners, setting up shared structures. It's a way of staying active while avoiding head-on visibility," he added. Yves Ekoue Amaizo, the director at the Afrocentricity Think Tank, thinks the gradual withdrawal of French companies also opens the door to new alliances, because African countries would now have "the capacity and the partners to replace these companies." "China, Turkey and other immediate players are already involved. But this means accepting new, often opaque conditions, and managing a context of risks [such as] political instability, terrorism and legal uncertainties," he told DW. While withdrawal seems inevitable for some French multinational corporations, others are still betting on rebalancing their business strategies. According to a report in the offshore industry magazine , energy giant TotalEnergies, for example, is trying to find a new footing in English- and Portuguese-speaking countries, including Kenya, South Africa, Namibia and Angola. But competition there is fierce, and France can no longer rely on a historical advantage in these countries. Even more so as questions of legitimacy and social responsibility also play an increasing role, said Amaizo. "The real question is one of mentality. If companies want to remain credible, they must prove that they are co-constructing locally and sharing the benefits, rather than going it alone with the resources." With the era of the Francafrique special relationship between France and its former African colonies now coming to an end, there are signs that French multinationals are trying to transform themselves, too, by collaborating more strongly with local partners or moving operations elsewhere in Africa. No matter what they do or where they go, legitimacy remains their main capital and must be regained.
