In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict, Israel's military has initiated a large-scale offensive operation in Gaza, aimed at dismantling Hamas and securing the release of hostages still held in the region. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have mobilized troops for what they are calling "Operation Gideon's Chariots," with the goal of capturing strategic areas within the Gaza Strip.
The situation in Gaza is dire, with the Hamas-led civil defense reporting approximately 250 Palestinian fatalities since the offensive began on Thursday. Overnight airstrikes have resulted in at least 58 additional deaths, according to local authorities cited by Reuters. The humanitarian situation is further exacerbated by an aid blockade imposed by Israel in March, following the collapse of a two-month ceasefire. This has led to severe hardships for the residents of Gaza, with U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledging that "a lot of people were starving" in the region.
The IDF has stated that it will continue its operations until Hamas is no longer a threat and all hostages are returned. In the past 24 hours alone, Israeli forces have launched attacks on over 150 targets throughout Gaza. Despite international calls for a cessation of hostilities and the resumption of ceasefire talks, Israel has intensified its bombardment and amassed armored forces along the border.
The operation's name, "Gideon's Chariots," draws inspiration from a biblical warrior, signaling an aggressive military approach that involves seizing and controlling territory, moving civilians to safer areas in the south of the strip, and preventing Hamas from accessing aid supplies. Thousands of Israeli troops, including both active soldiers and reservists, are expected to enter Gaza as the operation progresses.
Residents in northern and central Gaza have been instructed to evacuate their homes, a directive that aid workers argue is nearly impossible to comply with, given the repeated displacement many have already experienced. Amid the intensifying conflict, hopes for a new ceasefire remain slim, though indirect talks between Israel and Hamas continue in Qatar.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously indicated plans for an "intense entry into Gaza" to capture and hold territory, a move that was delayed until President Trump completed his tour of the Middle East. With Trump's departure from the region, the operation is now in full swing.
The escalation has drawn criticism from the international community, with UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk warning that Israel's actions could constitute a breach of international law. Türk highlighted the severe humanitarian impact of the offensive, including forced displacement and the systematic destruction of neighborhoods, suggesting a potential attempt at a permanent demographic shift in Gaza.
The U.S. has expressed concern over the unfolding situation, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that the country is "troubled" by the developments. The humanitarian crisis is evident in the accounts from medical professionals on the ground. Victoria Rose, a British reconstructive surgeon working at Nasser hospital in Khan Younis, described the dire conditions faced by her team and patients. The medical staff are exhausted, and malnutrition is rampant among children, many of whom are suffering from severe burn injuries and related complications.
A UN-backed assessment has highlighted the critical risk of famine facing Gaza's population, though the Israeli government continues to deny claims of a food shortage in the region. The conflict was reignited following a cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people and the taking of 251 hostages. Hamas currently holds 58 hostages, and the conflict has led to a staggering death toll of at least 53,000 people in Gaza, according to the territory's health ministry.
Overall, the situation in Gaza remains tense and precarious, with little sign of resolution as military operations continue and humanitarian conditions deteriorate.