Israel said the operation was intended to gain further operation control over key areas in Gaza and to fulfill its mission of destroying terrorist group Hamas.
Israel launched an extensive new campaign aimed at seizing control of more of the Gaza Strip as it seeks a definitive end to the war there.
A post on the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) X page said that the campaign was named Operation Gideon’s Chariots, a reference to the ancient Jewish military leader whose exploits are documented in Jewish and Christian holy texts.
במהלך היממה האחרונה צה"ל החל בתקיפות נרחבות והניע כוחות לתפיסת שטחים שולטים בשטח רצועת עזה, זאת כחלק ממהלכי הפתיחה למבצע "מרכבות גדעון" והרחבת המערכה בעזה, להשגת כל מטרות המלחמה בעזה, לרבות שחרור החטופים והכרעת החמאס.
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) May 16, 2025
כוחות צה"ל בפיקוד הדרום ימשיכו לפעול בכדי להגן על אזרחי ישראל… pic.twitter.com/WtK8Iy6XyG
A post on the IDF’s English-language channel did not mention the operation’s name, but said that gaining further “operational control” over more of Gaza would contribute to its stated objectives in the war against Hamas, which Israel and the United States designate as a terrorist organization.
⭕️ The IDF has begun conducting extensive strikes and mobilizing troops to achieve operational control in the areas of Gaza, over the past day.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 16, 2025
This is part of preparations to expand operations and fulfill the objectives of the war — including the release of hostages and the…
“This is part of preparations to expand operations and fulfill the objectives of the war—including the release of hostages and the dismantling of the Hamas terrorist organization,” the post read. “IDF troops will continue to operate in order to protect Israeli civilians and achieve the objectives of the war.”
Local health authorities in Gaza, which operate under the control of Hamas, said that 459 people had been killed in the most recent round of strikes. That number marks the deadliest escalation of the war since March, when cease-fire negotiations failed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously hinted on May 5 that Israel was planning an expanded, intensive offensive against Hamas as his security cabinet approved plans that could involve seizing the entire Gaza Strip and controlling aid in the embattled territory.
That same day, the IDF began mobilizing tens of thousands of reservists and has since amassed significant numbers of armored units along the front lines.
Israel has said that Hamas is still holding 58 hostages from its surprise assault on Oct. 7, 2023—during which more than 1,200 were killed and 251 were abducted—but only 23 of them are believed to be alive.
