Widespread devastation and fears of renewed violence have forced large numbers of residents in the city of Deir al-Balah in Gaza to flee, turning once-inhabited neighborhoods into scenes of destruction and desolation. It came after Israeli forces issued an evacuation order on Sunday to residents of the southwestern neighborhoods of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza. In the early hours of Monday, the Israeli military launched multiple rounds of airstrikes and artillery shelling on Deir al-Balah. Later that day, it deployed ground troops to enter the southern and eastern parts of the city. This marks the first ground offensive launched by Israeli forces on Deir al-Balah since the current round of conflict began. Although Israeli troops have since withdrawn from the area, large numbers of local residents, due to concerns over the potential resurgence of fighting, have packed their belongings and set out on the road of displacement. Exposed soil and scattered household items - this land, where many Palestinians once grew up and lived, now resembles an abandoned landfill. The broken buildings and the debris of daily life all around testify to the intensity of the Israeli military's operations. Ahmed Abu Katifa and his wife crouched among the ruins, trying to recover a few usable items. Some displaced persons said that Deir al-Balah had previously been considered a relatively safe area in Gaza. However, thousands of evacuation orders printed in leaflets suddenly shattered the peace on July 20. Streams of residents bringing whatever they could were seen fleeing in haste along the roads leading out of Deir al-Balah. Using carts, donkey carriages, or even traveling on foot, they pack up the last of their belongings and leave the homes they once relied on to survive. Shotlist: Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip - July 23, 2025: 1. Various of debris, destroyed buildings, scattered items, residents; 2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Ahmed Abu Katifa, displaced resident: "Shells suddenly came flying toward us at 03:00, and we rushed out without even having time to change our clothes. Looking back, nothing was left. In just a few seconds, everything was turned upside down."; 3. Various of debris, destroyed buildings, scattered items, residents; 4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Marwan Abu Amra, displaced resident (partially overlaid with shot 5): "We brought nothing along, and just escaped with our lives. Now everything is buried under the rubble, and we got no clothes to change for three days. My child and I are now on the streets, sleeping by the sea, without any shelters. At this moment, I feel that death might be a relief."; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 5. Destroyed buildings; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 6. Various of displaced residents leaving city with belongings; 7. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Ashraf Abu Amra, displaced resident "People poured into the streets, not knowing where to go. Everywhere is being bombed. The situation is extremely dire."; 8. Displaced residents leaving with cart. [Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]