Israel-Hamas conflict

Operation 'Chariots of Gideon' launched on 18 May 2025 to defeat Hamas forever

The enclave's population "will be displaced for its own protection," Netanyahu said, without specifying how much of the enclave's territory will be occupied as part of the new offensive

18 May 2025Aggiornato il 2 giugno 2025, ore 13:45

Benyamin Netanyahu durante la visita nel nord di Gaza, 15 aprile 2025. Ansa

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Key points

Aids
Excluding territories with hostages from the conquest
Another exodus
Operation 'Chariots of Gideon'

2' min read

"We are on the eve of a massive invasion of Gaza," Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu had said on 6 May, following the approval of a plan that prepares for the military occupation of the Strip, which officially began on 15 May 2025. He hastened to reassure the families of the hostages that the operation will only cover certain areas and guarantee the safety of the hostages,

On the night of 4-5 May 2025, the Israeli war cabinet unanimously approved a military plan - entitled 'Chariots of Gideon' - drawn up by the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Eyal Zamir, which envisages the conquest of areas of the Palestinian enclave. A massive operation aimed at dismantling Hamas and reorganising the management of the population.

Eyal Zamir

al centro

Il capo di stato maggiore Israele Eyal Zamir a Gaza. Le forze di terra dell'Idf hanno iniziato l'operazione “Carri di Gedeone” in diverse aree della Striscia di Gaza. Lo riferisce l'esercito israeliano. 18 maggio 2025. x.com/idfonline

Aids

The government of Israel intends to push the population southwards depriving Hamas of its ability to distribute humanitarian aid.

Excluding territories with hostages from the conquest

The areas where the 7 October hostages still in the hands of Hamas are believed to be held would be excluded from the plan: the clarification came from the IDF, after protests raised by the families of the kidnapped, which prompted the army to partially backtrack from the first rumours.

An umpteenth exodus

The population of the enclave 'will be displaced for its own protection', Netanyahu added, without specifying how much of the enclave's territory will be occupied as part of the new offensive.

It is impossible not to link the decision with the intention announced by Donald Trump at the beginning of February, during a press conference at the White House with the Israeli Prime Minister, to turn the Gaza Strip into the 'Riviera of the Middle East', with the consequent displacement of the Gazawi population - 2.1 million people - into neighbouring countries.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated that there will be no withdrawal from the conquered areas, not even in exchange for the hostages,' specified the leader of the National Religious Zionist Party.'The only way to free them is to defeat Hamas. Any withdrawal would take us back to 7 October'.

The official also noted that the IDF will establish a 'sterile zone' in the Rafah area, which Gaza residents will be able to access.

Operation 'Chariots of Gideon'

In summary, the plan - launched on 18 May 2025 - envisages, according to an Israeli political source quoted by Ynet:
1) the occupation of the Strip;
2) the retention of territories and the conquest of new ones;
3) the displacement of the population - 2.3 million people - towards the south;
4) the denial to Hamas of the possibility of distributing humanitarian supplies;
5) violent attacks against Palestinian militiamen.

Israel already controls about half of Gaza, including a buffer zone along the border with Israel and three corridors running from east to west along the strip.