In the lead - up to the 1948 Arab - Israeli War , residents of Deir al - Balah participated in a local attack against the nearby kibbutz of Kfar Darom , despite being discouraged by Egyptian Army officers .
Residents were repelled and suffered casualties .
In the lead - up to the 1948 Arab - Israeli War , residents of Deir al - Balah participated in a local attack against the nearby kibbutz of Kfar Darom , despite being discouraged by Egyptian Army officers , but they were repelled and suffered casualties .