Tel Aviv [Israel]: The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have outlined key developments in Operation Gideon’s Chariot, a large-scale military campaign targeting Hamas in both northern and southern Gaza.
In a video statement released on Monday, IDF Spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani shared updates on the ongoing military operations and strategic objectives.
“After the October 7th massacre, our mission is clear. Bring our hostages home and dismantle Hamas’s military and governing capabilities,” he said.
According to Lt. Col. Shoshani, IDF ground forces have pushed deeper into Gaza as part of this intensified offensive. Over the past week, the Israeli Air Force has conducted strikes on more than 670 Hamas targets, including tunnels, weapons depots, anti-tank units, and militant operatives.
He outlined four main goals of the operation:
- Provide advance warnings to uninvolved civilians to help them avoid harm
- Control the battlefield
- Protect Israeli civilians
- Dismantle Hamas’s leadership and capabilities
“The Air Force continues to strike with precision,” he noted, emphasizing that dozens of terrorists have already been eliminated.
He added:
“This won’t end overnight. But we’ll fight until Hamas is no longer a threat and our hostages are released. The mission continues.”
The launch of Operation Gideon’s Chariot was confirmed Sunday by the Israeli army, as reported by Al Jazeera. The operation includes regular and reserve forces under the Southern Command, supported by extensive air power.
The Times of Israel, citing military sources, stated that Southern Command troops will persist in their efforts to defend Israeli citizens and achieve the war’s strategic goals. Israeli officials also confirmed that the operation aims to:
- Seize full control over Gaza
- Push the Palestinian civilian population southward
- Neutralize Hamas
- Prevent the militant group from intercepting humanitarian aid
Operation Gideon’s Chariot marks one of the most expansive and coordinated phases in Israel’s ongoing campaign to eliminate Hamas’s influence and secure the release of Israeli hostages.