Netanyahu Approves Expanded Invasion of Gaza Under “Gideon’s Chariots” Operation

Watan-Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Monday that the Security Cabinet (the “kabinett”) approved the expansion of the ongoing war in Gaza, confirming Israel’s intent to occupy the besieged strip.

In a televised address shared on his account on platform X (formerly Twitter), Netanyahu said:“We met until late last night in the cabinet and decided to launch an intensified military operation in Gaza, based on the recommendation of Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi.”

He added:“The recommendation aims to defeat Hamas and may help release the hostages along the way. I fully agree with this.”

This stance aligns Netanyahu with key far-right ministers like Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who previously stated that retrieving the hostages is not as important as destroying Hamas.

Netanyahu also claimed a civilian evacuation plan for Gaza residents is in place, supposedly “to protect them,” but offered no further details.

“Let it be clear,” he said. “We will not enter Gaza only to withdraw like before. This will not be a temporary operation or limited raids. We are planning the exact opposite.”

“Gideon’s Chariots” Operation to Begin After Trump’s Visit

Israel’s public broadcaster reported that Operation “Gideon’s Chariots”—aiming for full occupation of Gaza—was approved but postponed until after U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to the region in mid-May. The visit will include Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, but not Israel.

Israel has begun preparing by calling up tens of thousands of reserve troops. According to Yedioth Ahronoth, many reservists have already received deployment orders.

The operation name “Merkavot Gideon” (Gideon’s Chariots) has religious and historical connotations, echoing Israel’s 1948 Operation Gideon, which aimed to seize the Palestinian town of Beisan and expel its inhabitants.

This name signals the occupation-centered intent of the current military campaign.

Ground Strategy and Security Zone Model

An unnamed senior Israeli security official told the broadcaster that the plan, approved by Netanyahu, Chief of Staff Halevi, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, includes:

• A massive increase in ground forces

• Use of heavy equipment to neutralize explosives and fortified structures

• Establishment of a “security zone” based on the Rafah model, where cleared areas are fully destroyed and controlled

• A complete evacuation of civilians from combat zones in northern to southern Gaza

The IDF will remain in any territory it seizes to prevent Hamas’s return.

The humanitarian plan—distinguishing aid from Hamas—will only begin after full evacuation and military advancement.

Safe zones will be drawn near Rafah, behind the Morag axis (between Rafah and Khan Younis), where civilians will be screened by the Israeli military to exclude Hamas members.

Devastation in Gaza

Israel has imposed an 18-year blockade on Gaza. Since the start of the genocide campaign in October 2023, over 1.5 million of Gaza’s 2.4 million residents have been displaced. The strip faces severe famine due to Israel’s closure of aid crossings.

Since October 7, over 171,000 Palestinians have been killed or injured, the majority of them children and women, with more than 11,000 missing.

Political Motives and Timeline

The planned offensive comes after Netanyahu abandoned the second phase of a ceasefire deal brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S., originally implemented in January 2025. The first phase included a limited prisoner swap, but Netanyahu resumed full-scale war on March 18, influenced by extremist factions in his coalition seeking political gains.

The military buildup before Trump’s visit is seen as a pressure tactic to reach a new hostage deal, reportedly based on a proposal by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.

If no deal is reached, “Gideon’s Chariots” will launch with full force, with the goal of permanent control over all cleared zones and annexation into a long-term Israeli security belt.