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‘Operation Gideon’s Chariots’ signals ground push to defeat Hamas, rescue hostages
By Open Chronicle Staff with Agencies| May 16, 2025 – Tel Aviv/Gaza
The Israeli military has launched a sweeping new offensive in the Gaza Strip, titled “Operation Gideon’s Chariots,” aimed at dismantling Hamas’ hold on the territory and rescuing remaining Israeli hostages, amid mounting international concern over a deepening humanitarian catastrophe.
In a post on its Hebrew-language social media channels, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the operation seeks to “seize strategic areas” of the enclave, neutralize Hamas fighters, and ensure aid distribution does not fall into militant hands. It marks the most significant escalation since the collapse of a two-month ceasefire in March.
“We will not stop operating until Hamas is no longer a threat and all our hostages are home,” the IDF declared in a statement.
The IDF confirmed that over 150 targets were struck across Gaza within 24 hours, including tunnel systems, weapons stockpiles, and alleged command posts. According to Hamas-run civil defense and health ministries, around 250 Palestinians have been killed since Thursday, many of them civilians.
Territory, Hostages, and the Humanitarian Crisis
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had signaled earlier this month that a full-scale ground incursion was imminent, describing it as an “intense entry” intended to capture and hold ground in Gaza. The operation reportedly began shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump completed a diplomatic visit to the region.
The offensive appears to be centered on northern and central Gaza, with Israeli armored columns reportedly advancing into contested areas. The Times of Israel described the operation as one that would clear population centers, relocate civilians southward, and establish IDF control over aid delivery routes.
Trump, who had previously backed Israel’s military aims, shifted tone during his visit, acknowledging that “a lot of people were starving” in Gaza. Despite that, Israel has maintained a blockade on aid entering the Strip since March, citing concerns that Hamas has been diverting humanitarian resources.
UN and International Reactions: ‘A Breach of Law’
The United Nations and several humanitarian organizations have condemned Israel’s renewed assault. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk issued a scathing warning, stating that the IDF’s actions risk violating international humanitarian law.
“The methodical destruction of entire neighborhoods, forced displacement, and the denial of aid suggest a push for a permanent demographic shift in Gaza — tantamount to ethnic cleansing,” Türk said.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington was “troubled” by the scale of civilian suffering and reiterated calls for the protection of noncombatants. However, he stopped short of calling for a ceasefire.
On the ground, British surgeon Dr. Victoria Rose, who was working at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, described the desperate conditions.
“The children are really thin. We’ve got a lot of youngsters whose teeth have fallen out,” she told BBC Radio 4. “A lot have significant burn injuries, and with this level of malnutrition, their bodies just can’t heal.”
Background: The War That Won’t End
Israel launched its military campaign to destroy Hamas after the group’s surprise cross-border assault on October 7, 2023, which left 1,200 Israelis dead and 251 hostages taken. Hamas is still believed to be holding 57 hostages, many of them civilians.
While Israeli officials deny that food is scarce in Gaza, a UN-backed assessment published Monday warned that the population is at “critical risk of famine,” especially in northern areas cut off from consistent aid delivery.
Analysts see the launch of Operation Gideon’s Chariots as a clear indication that ceasefire efforts have collapsed, and that Israel is shifting toward a strategy of prolonged territorial control, despite rising international pressure.