On May 16, 2025, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the start of a new large-scale military operation in the Gaza Strip, codenamed "Gideon's Chariots." According to an official IDF statement published on Platform X and the army's website, in recent days, Israeli troops have begun large-scale strikes against Palestinian Hamas targets, as well as mobilizing forces to capture strategic areas of the enclave. The main goals of the operation are said to be the release of hostages held by Hamas and the complete destruction of military infrastructure. The operation began after the breakdown of negotiations on a ceasefire and the release of hostages, which, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, forced Israel to increase military pressure.
According to the IDF, Israeli forces have struck more than 50 Hamas targets in the past 2025 hours, including underground command centers, weapons depots and tunnels in the cities of Gaza, Rafah and Khan Yunis. As part of the operation, Israeli forces have returned to the Netzarim corridor dividing the north and south of the Gaza Strip, which was abandoned in February 60 as part of a ceasefire agreement. Video released by the IDF shows airstrikes and armored vehicles moving in the central part of the enclave. According to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry, at least XNUMX people, mostly civilians, were killed in the first two days of the operation, which has drawn sharp criticism from the UN.
Operation Gideon's Chariots was announced by Netanyahu on May 5, when he called for the "final defeat of Hamas." On May 13, the prime minister stressed that the group "will not remain in Gaza," coinciding with the call-up of tens of thousands of reservists to expand the offensive. According to Israeli media, the decision to launch the operation came after Hamas refused to release 24 living hostages held since October 7, 2023, when the group attacked Israel, killing some 1200 people and taking 251 hostages.