| Published May 6, 2025
US president will end his Mideast visit in just 10 days and by then, according to senior security official, IDF forces will be ready for Operation Gideon’s Chariots; Israel will bring aid into Gaza to ‘a sterile zone in the Rafah area where entrants will be screened by the IDF to prevent Hamas operatives from gaining access’
Israel’s security cabinet approved a comprehensive military operation, dubbed “Operation Gideon’s Chariots,” aimed at reoccupying the Gaza Strip and dismantling Hamas’s military and governing capabilities. The plan involves a gradual, multi-month campaign to seize control of Gaza, with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) maintaining a permanent presence in captured areas to prevent the resurgence of terrorist activities.
A central component of the operation includes the evacuation of civilians from combat zones, particularly in northern Gaza, to southern areas of the strip. This move is intended to distinguish between civilians and Hamas operatives, granting the IDF full operational freedom. Humanitarian aid will be introduced into designated “sterile zones” in the Rafah area, where entrants will be screened by the IDF to prevent Hamas operatives from gaining access.
Military analysts describe “Gideon’s Chariots” as a classic “clear, hold, build” strategy to root out Hamas and create new, credible, demilitarized civilian authorities to govern the Palestinian communities in Gaza.
Israel plans to use military pressure to rescue the remaining hostages in a new way: not by pressuring Hamas leadership, which has been unwilling to compromise, but to isolate Hamas cells that are holding captives.
The operation’s commencement is contingent upon the outcome of ongoing negotiations for a hostage deal. Israel has set a deadline for Hamas to agree to a deal by the end of U.S. President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to the Middle East, scheduled for May 13–16. If no agreement is reached, the operation will proceed at full force.
International reactions have been mixed, with some expressing support for Israel’s right to self-defense, while others raise concerns about the potential humanitarian crisis resulting from the operation. The situation remains fluid as diplomatic efforts continue to secure the release of hostages and prevent further escalation.
Israeli soldiers conduct a raid in the West Bank on March 19, 2025. (ZAIN JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images)
Here are the key implications of Israel’s launch of Operation Gideon’s Chariots to reoccupy Gaza and dismantle Hamas:
1. Major Shift in Israeli Military Doctrine
Israel’s decision to reoccupy parts—or potentially all—of Gaza represents a dramatic shift from previous policies of containment and limited ground incursions. It signals the end of a “deterrence” strategy and the beginning of a long-term military and administrative presence in Gaza.
2. Risk of Prolonged Conflict
The operation is expected to take months and could lead to drawn-out urban warfare, significant casualties on both sides, and wider regional destabilization. Hamas is deeply entrenched, and reoccupation will likely trigger fierce resistance and retaliatory attacks.
3. Civilian Displacement and Humanitarian Fallout
With forced evacuations already underway in northern Gaza, the risk of a worsening humanitarian crisis is high. Although Israel plans to provide aid in “sterile zones,” mass displacement, restricted movement, and disrupted aid supply chains could fuel international condemnation and hardship for civilians.
4. U.S. and Global Diplomatic Pressure
Israel’s timeline—linked to President Trump’s May 13–16 visit—may be seen as trying to align the operation with U.S. political backing. However, if hostilities escalate or civilian suffering increases, Israel may face strong pressure from allies, especially in Europe and the UN, to halt or scale back the operation.
5. Potential Collapse or Transformation of Hamas Governance
If successful, the operation could dismantle Hamas’s ability to govern Gaza. However, Israel would then face the challenge of what replaces Hamas: direct Israeli rule, a multinational force, or a weak Palestinian Authority—each with major risks and political complications.
6. Precedent for Future Counterterrorism Campaigns
Israel’s approach—full-scale reoccupation followed by phased, controlled civilian management—could influence how other states approach embedded terrorist organizations in urban zones. It may become a controversial template for combining military and humanitarian operations.
7. Potential Regional Spillover
Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iran-backed militias, or unrest in the West Bank could respond to Israel’s deeper presence in Gaza. The reoccupation risks turning Gaza into a front in a broader regional conflict involving Iran’s proxies.
Overall Takeaway:
Israel’s launch of Operation Gideon’s Chariots marks a historic escalation in its campaign against Hamas, signaling the start of a planned reoccupation of Gaza to permanently dismantle the terror group’s grip on the territory. While the strategy aims to restore long-term security and eliminate a major threat, it carries immense risks: prolonged urban warfare, humanitarian fallout, and regional instability.
The operation reflects Israel’s shift from containment to total control—but its success depends not just on military might, but on post-conflict governance, international diplomacy, and avoiding a broader war in the Middle East.
SOURCES: BREITBART – Israel Prepares Operation ‘Gideon’s Chariots’ to Take Over Gaza, Clear Hamas
STRATFOR WORLDVIEW – To Break Hamas, Israel Prepares to Reoccupy Gaza
ISRAEL HAYOM – Cabinet approves launch of major Gaza operation, sets start date
YNET NEWS – Israel sets deadline for Hamas: Deal by end of Trump visit or we take Gaza
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