The IDF rolls out the “Gideon’s Chariots” offensive with simultaneous incursions in northern and southern Gaza following days of heavy aerial bombardments.
The Israeli military on Sunday confirmed the launch of a new large-scale ground offensive in the Gaza Strip, dubbed “Gideon’s Chariots,” involving simultaneous incursions in both the northern and southern sectors of the Palestinian enclave.
According to an official statement, troops from the Southern Command — including active-duty soldiers and reservists — have initiated “extensive ground operations” as part of the campaign, which is unfolding in parallel with a continued wave of intense airstrikes.
The announcement came after several consecutive days of heavy bombardments by Israeli forces, with the brunt of the attacks concentrated in northern Gaza since Tuesday. The air raids have resulted in hundreds of casualties daily, according to local sources.
The Health Ministry in Gaza reported that at least 107 people were killed between midnight Saturday and noon Sunday. Several strikes hit camps sheltering displaced civilians in the southern part of the enclave.
In its statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had carried out a “preliminary wave of attacks” that struck more than 670 Hamas-linked targets across Gaza, providing support for the ground maneuvers currently underway.
Israeli troops pushed into areas near Deir al-Balah in central Gaza earlier this weekend, while the air campaign has continued across the territory, with particular intensity in the north, Palestinian media and local sources confirmed to the EFE news agency.
Within the last 24 hours, Israeli attacks have killed at least 117 Palestinians, including 72 in northern Gaza alone, Palestinian medical officials said.
Earlier this month, the militant group Hamas ruled out any renewed ceasefire negotiations with Israel, urging the international community to halt what it called a “war of hunger,” following the announcement of a new Israeli plan to “conquer” Gaza territory.
“There is no point in engaging in talks or considering new ceasefire proposals while the war of starvation and extermination continues in Gaza,” senior Hamas official Basem Naim told Agence France-Presse, calling on the international community to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to cease its operations in the enclave.
Naim’s statement came after a senior Israeli defense official warned of an imminent large-scale ground operation should a new agreement not be reached ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to the Middle East.
“The Israel Defense Forces are preparing to launch a broad ground offensive in the Gaza Strip,” the official said, adding that there is only a narrow window of opportunity to secure a ceasefire that would include the release of the 59 hostages still held by Hamas.
Previously, the IDF confirmed that its ongoing air campaign is aimed at establishing “operational control” and is part of preparations to expand military operations further.
On May 5, the Israeli Security Cabinet, responsible for overseeing the Gaza offensive, unanimously approved a plan to “occupy and retain territory” in the enclave.
At that time, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the new military plan marks a departure from the earlier strategy of temporary raids, signaling instead a shift toward “occupation and permanence” within Gaza’s borders.
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