ISRAEL – Israeli army on Friday stated that it has launched a military operation named “Gideon Chariots” the first stage of the new Israeli offensive in Gaza Strip.

Operation Gideon Chariots; What We Know About New Israeli Offensive in Gaza - The State Signal — GAZA CITY, GAZA – MAY 16: Palestinian residents from the areas of Beit Lahiya, Jibaliya, Tel al-Zaatar, and Tel al-Sultan in the Gaza Strip flee towards locations they perceive as safer following intensified Israeli military attacks in Gaza Strip on May 16, 2025. Many are seen carrying only essential belongings as they evacuate under ongoing attacks. ( Abdalhkem Abu Riash – Anadolu Agency )

The Security Cabinet on May 5 unanimously approved a new plan, Gideon’s Chariots, for Israel “to conquer Gaza” and hold the territory under its control.

The army said in the last day, it has “launched extensive attacks and mobilized forces to seize strategic areas in the Gaza Strip, as part of the opening moves of Operation Gideon’s Chariots and the expansion of the campaign in Gaza.”

The statement claimed that the new campaign would “achieve all the goals of the war in Gaza, including the release of the hostages and the defeat of Hamas.”

During the last three days, which coincided with US President Donald Trump’s regional visit that began Tuesday, Israel killed more than 370 Palestinians, a sharp rise compared to 78 killed in the previous three days, according to Anadolu’s tally based on data from Gaza’s Health Ministry.

The Israeli army has pursued a brutal offensive against Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, killing more than 53,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children.