Watershed Event? Roads Not Blocked After IDF Launches Operation In Area
Despite Possible Hostages There
Dr. Aaron Lerner 20 July 2025

Until this morning, Deir al-Balah was off limits for IDF operations out of
concern that Israeli hostages were being held there.

When the IDF announced that it was launching operations there, some hostage
families issued a statement criticizing the move.

IDF operations in the area including bombing three houses.

The Israeli street did not significantly react to this development.

There was no mass protest and no roads in Tel Aviv were blocked.

It remains to be seen if this was a one-off or a permanent dramatic change
in policy according to which, after close to two years of war, the lives of
hundreds of soldiers and Israel's existential need to defeat Hamas are given
priority.

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