Tel Aviv: The Israeli army has announced a major attack aimed at defeating Hamas and ensuring the freedom of the remaining hostages in Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on its Hebrew X account that it has mobilized troops for Operation Gideon Chariot to capture strategic areas of the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, officials of the Civil Defense and Health Ministry of Hamas-controlled Gaza have said that about 250 Palestinians have died in Israeli attacks on Thursday, while hundreds are injured. These include a large number of women and children.
What the Israeli military said
Israel imposed an aid blockade on the Strip in March after a two-month ceasefire collapsed. US President Donald Trump said on Friday that "too many people are starving" in Gaza. The Israeli military did not use the operational name in a similar post on its English-language X account. It said it would not stop working until "Hamas is no longer a threat and all of our hostages have returned home." Israel has attacked more than 150 terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip in 24 hours"
Why did Israel bomb Gaza
Despite growing international pressure to resume ceasefire talks and end its blockade, Israel has intensified its bombing. Not only this, Israel has also deployed armored forces on the border. The launch of the operation seems to indicate that all efforts to release hostages and ceasefire have failed.
What is the purpose of Operation Gideon Chariot
According to the Times of Israel, through Operation Gideon Chariot, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will carry out the mission of capturing and controlling the area, preventing civilians from moving to the south of the Strip, attacking Hamas and taking control of aid supplies. The operation is named after a biblical warrior. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier this month that Israel was preparing for a "rapid entry into Gaza" to capture and hold the area.
United UN Human Rights Council warns
UN human rights chief Volker Turk has warned that Israel's recent aggression could be considered a violation of international law. "This latest barrage of bombs, the forced relocation of people amid the threat of intense attacks, the systematic destruction of entire neighbourhoods, and the denial of humanitarian aid underscore the pressure being exerted on Gaza for permanent demographic change that violates international law and amounts to ethnic cleansing," Ungo said.
