Israel's first ground assault on Deir al-Balah in Gaza

Residents of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza say Israeli tankfire has destroyed houses and mosques and killed several people in the army's latest ground offensive. Aid agencies say the assault is beyond description. We hear from residents in Gaza and speak to aid agencies and to our Middle East expert.

Britain's defence secretary has suggested there's now "maximum opportunity" to force Russia to negotiate a peace deal with Ukraine. Our Ukraine correspondent explains recent developments in the war.

Actress Lupita Nyong'o has spoken about "suffering in silence" with uterine fibroids. We hear a conversation about the lack of awareness and stigma surrounding fibroids and hysterectomy.

(Photo: Smoke rises during Israeli strikes amid the Israeli military operation in Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, July 21, 2025. Credit: Hatem Khaled/Reuters)