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May 2025 Gaza offensive

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Operation Gideon's Chariots
Part of the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip during the Gaza war
  Gaza Strip under Palestinian control
  Gaza Strip under Israeli control
  Furthest Israeli advance in Gaza Strip
  Evacuated areas inside Israel
  Maximum extent of the October 7 attacks
  Area of Gaza subject to Israeli evacuation orders

See here for a more detailed map.
TypeGround invasion, aerial bombing, ethnic cleansing[1]
Location
Gaza Strip
Planned by Israel
Date16 May 2025 – present
Executed by
Casualties400+ killed, 1,000+ injured[2]

On 4 May 2025, Israel's security cabinet approved a plan to expand its military offensive in the Gaza Strip. Codenamed Operation Gideon's Chariots (Hebrew: מבצע מרכבות גדעון), the Israel Defense Forces aim to defeat Hamas, destroy its military and governing capabilities, and take control over the entire Gaza Strip. The operation involves combined military force from land, air, and sea.[3][4] On 16 May, Israel announced the launch of the operation.[5][6] The United Nations Human Rights Office condemned the offensive as tantamount to ethnic cleansing.[1]

Background

The operation was approved against the backdrop of ongoing confrontations with Hamas, the holding of Israeli hostages in Gaza, and the need to prevent the continued security threat to Israeli communities surrounding Gaza. The operation was developed by the IDF Chief of Staff and senior IDF command echelons, and approved by the Defense Minister and Prime Minister.[7] It was unanimously approved by Israel’s Security Cabinet on 4 May 2025.[8] The operation is named after the biblical warrior Gideon, who led a successful battle against the Midianites.[9][10]

Plan

The main objectives of "Operation Gideon's Chariots" are twofold – to completely destroy Hamas's military and administrative infrastructure so that the organization can no longer exert any influence in Gaza, and to rescue the Israeli hostages held in Gaza since Hamas's attack on 7 October 2023. Israeli officials have stated that the destruction of Hamas is the primary goal of this operation, rather than the release of the hostages.[11] The operation includes a significant reinforcement of IDF forces, ground maneuvering deep into the Gaza Strip, and the use of heavy equipment to neutralize explosive devices and destroy buildings that the IDF says are used as terrorist infrastructure.[12][13] On 19 May, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel plans to "take control of the entire Gaza Strip."[2]

Offensive

On the night of 16–17 May, the IDF began a ground advance towards Deir al-Balah for the first time during the war.[14]

On 18 May, Israel claimed to have struck over 670 "Hamas targets" in a wave of preliminary airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, killing over 400 people and injuring another 1,000.[2]

On 19 May, Israeli forces killed at least 136 people and shuttered the last functioning hospital in north Gaza. Israel also struck the medical supplies warehouse of Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, damaging the medical supplies provided by Medical Aid for Palestinians.[2] Israel ordered all residents of Khan Yunis to leave to al-Mawasi, with IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee declaring the entire area "a dangerous combat zone."[15]

On 20 May, at least 49 people were killed in overnight strikes.[2]

On 21 May, Israeli forces killed at least 82 people.[16] Al-Awda Hospital was shelled by Israeli forces.[17]

On 25 May, the Gaza Government Media Office reported that the IDF was in control of 77% of the Gaza Strip.[18]

On 26 May, overnight Israeli strikes killed at least 54 Palestinians, including more than 35 killed in an airstrike on the Fahmi al-Jarjawi School in Gaza City.[19] The IDF issued new evacuation orders displacing Palestinians in Khan Yunis, Bani Suheila, Abasan, and al-Qarara.[20]

On 27 May, the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation began operations in Tel al-Sultan, Rafah, to deliver humanitarian aid. As thousands of starving Palestinians overwhelmed the distribution center, Israeli forces fired into the crowd, killing ten and injuring at least 62 people.[21]

On 29 May, Israeli attacks killed at least 70 people across Gaza, including more than 23 in attacks on residential buildings in Bureij refugee camp.[22] U.S. special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff proposed a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that involved the release of 10 living hostages and 18 dead hostages, as well as a 60-day truce. Israel accepted the proposal while Hamas started reviewing it, asserting that it did not include provisions for a permanent ceasefire.[23]

On 30 May, Israeli attacks killed more than 72 Palestinians and injured at least 278.[24]

On 31 May, Israeli attacks killed 60 and injured 284 people.[25] Hamas agreed to release 28 living and dead hostages but insisted that it requires a permanent ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.[26]

On 1 June, 31 Palestinians were killed and at least 150 were injured by Israeli tanks and gunfire as they gathered for aid at Rafah.[27][28]

Reactions

  •  Hamas: Hamas rejected Israel's "pressure and blackmail."[4] Hamas official Basem Naim said there was "no point in any negotiations" while the Gaza blockade remained in place.[29]
  •  United States: President Donald Trump pledged to help get food to Palestinians in Gaza, stating that "a lot of people were starving" in Gaza.[4] He also expressed that he had been trying to get Israel to "stop that whole situation as quickly as possible."[30] Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. was "troubled" by the situation.[5]
  •  United Kingdom: The UK said that it "does not support an expansion of Israel's military operations in Gaza."[4] Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the situation "intolerable."[31] Foreign Secretary David Lammy suspended free trade talks with Israel and condemned Netanyahu's plans to "drive Gazans from their homes into a corner of the strip."[32] Lammy also imposed sanctions on several Israeli settlers in the West Bank and condemned Bezalel Smotrich's calls to ethnically cleanse Gaza as "monstrous."[33]
  •  France: Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the European Union could suspend its agreement with Israel unless the Gaza offensive was halted. In a joint statement with the United Kingdom and Canada, France condemned the offensive, calling it "disproportionate" and "egregious" and threatening sanctions.[32][2]
  •  Canada: Canada, along with France and the United Kingdom, condemned the offensive and threatened to take "concrete actions" including sanctions on Israel.[2]
  •  Belgium: Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot called for sanctions against Israel and said that "only the word genocide" can describe what Israel was doing in Gaza.[34]
  •  Germany: Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that the Israeli attacks "can no longer be justified as a fight against Hamas terrorism."[35]
  •  Spain: Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned the invasion and called for Israel to be excluded from the Eurovision Song Contest.[36] He also said that Israel was conducting "war for war's sake."[37]
  •  Sweden: Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard condemned the Israeli plans to take over Gaza, stating "If this means annexation, it is against international law. Sweden stands firm in its belief that Gaza’s territory must not be changed or reduced."[38]
  •  Australia: Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Israel "cannot allow the suffering to continue" and condemned the "abhorrent and outrageous comments made by members of the Netanyahu Government about these people in crisis."[39]
  •  Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV called for "an end to the hostilities whose heartbreaking price is being paid by children, the elderly and sick people" and demanded the "entrance of dignified humanitarian aid to Gaza."[40]
  •  European Union: The EU expressed concern over "further casualties and suffering for the Palestinian population."[4] It also condemned the expansion of the Israeli offensive as "abhorrent" and "disproportionate" and further stated that "Israeli strikes in Gaza go beyond what is necessary to fight Hamas."[41] The EU began reviewing its trade ties with Israel following 19 months of war.[37]
  •  United Nations: The UN called the situation "beyond description, beyond atrocious, and beyond inhumane" and stated that the proposal would constitute a breach of basic humanitarian principles. It also declared that it will not co-operate with Israeli forces.[4][6]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Christou, William (17 May 2025). "Israel accused of ethnic cleansing after more than 140 killed in Gaza in 24 hours". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Ebrahim, Nadeen; Fox, Kara (19 May 2025). "UK, France, Canada threaten sanctions if Israel continues new offensive into Gaza. Here's what we know". CNN. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  3. ^ Eichner, Itamar; Zitun, Yoav (5 May 2025). "Security Official: New Operation Named 'Gideon's Chariots'". Ynetnews. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Israel cabinet approves plan to 'capture' Gaza - official". BBC News. 5 May 2025. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Israel launches major offensive as Gaza rescuers say scores killed". BBC News. 17 May 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  6. ^ a b Mohammed Tawfeeq; Jeremy Diamond; Ibrahim Dahman; Eyad Kourdi (16 May 2025). "Israeli military says it has launched major new offensive in Gaza, same day Trump leaves region with no deal". CNN. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  7. ^ "שם המבצע בעזה שאושר בקבינט - "מרכבות גדעון"". mako. 5 May 2025. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  8. ^ "IDF says it is 'seizing strategic areas' as it launches first stages of major new Gaza offensive dubbed 'Gideon's Chariots'". Times of Israel. 16 May 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  9. ^ "What is 'Gideon's Chariots', Israel's latest plan for Gaza?". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  10. ^ "Goal of Israel's new Gaza plan conquest and long-term boots on ground - analysis". The Jerusalem Post. 5 May 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  11. ^ Hancock, J. Micah (11 May 2025). "What's the IDF's new battle plan 'Operation Gideon's Chariots' and how will it shape the future of Gaza?". All Israel News. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  12. ^ Marks, Josh (5 May 2025). "'Gideon's Chariots': IDF will hold Gaza, says Smotrich". JNS.org. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  13. ^ "Senior defense official: IDF to launch major Gaza op if no hostage deal by end of Trump's Mideast visit". Times of Israel.
  14. ^ "IDF said advancing toward Deir al-Balah, heavy strikes across Gaza amid new offensive". The Times of Israel. 17 May 2025. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  15. ^ "Israel orders Khan Younis evacuation ahead of 'unprecedented attack'". BBC News. 19 May 2025. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  16. ^ Najjar, Farah; Kestler-D'Amours, Jillian. "'Israeli army will control of all Gaza', Netanyahu says, as 82 killed". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  17. ^ "Two of the last functioning hospitals in northern Gaza are encircled by Israeli forces, staff say". AP News. 21 May 2025. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  18. ^ Motamedi, Maziar; Quillen, Stephen. "Israel controls 77% of Gaza as 'genocide, ethnic cleansing' continues". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  19. ^ "Israeli strike kills dozens sheltering in Gaza school, officials say". BBC News. 26 May 2025. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  20. ^ Motamedi, Maziar; Osgood, Brian; Uras, Umut. "'Massacre': Israeli missiles hit Gaza school as death toll nears 54,000". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  21. ^ Cheeseman, Abbie; Rubin, Shira; DeYoung, Karen; Wiener, Aaron; Bisset, Victoria (28 May 2025). "Dozens injured by gunshots amid chaos at Gaza aid hub, U.N. says". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  22. ^ "Israeli attacks kill at least 70 in Gaza as hunger crisis deepens". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  23. ^ Karni, Dana (29 May 2025). "Israel accepts new US proposal for ceasefire with Hamas, says Israeli official". CNN. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  24. ^ "Israel Gaza live updates: Hamas 'thoroughly reviewing' ceasefire plan as UN warns all of Gaza at risk of famine". BBC News. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  25. ^ "Gaza live updates: Hamas pledges to free 10 living hostages but seeks permanent ceasefire in response to US plan". BBC News. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
  26. ^ Dahman, Ibrahim (31 May 2025). "Hamas responds to US plan for Gaza ceasefire, says proposal aimed at 'permanent ceasefire'". CNN. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
  27. ^ Boxerman, Aaron (1 June 2025). "Over 20 Killed Near Aid Distribution Site in Gaza, Palestinian Health Officials Say". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  28. ^ "31 killed in Israeli gunfire near Gaza aid centre, Hamas-run health authorities say". BBC News. 1 June 2025. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  29. ^ "Hamas says 'no point' to talks as Israel plans expanded Gaza offensive". BBC News. 6 May 2025. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  30. ^ Kingsley, Patrick (26 May 2025). "Trump's Comments on Gaza Reflect Israel's Growing Isolation". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  31. ^ Uras, Umut; Osgood, Brian. "Israeli military issues forced displacement order for Gaza's Khan Younis". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  32. ^ a b Boxerman, Aaron (20 May 2025). "Israel's Allies Denounce Its New Gaza Offensive". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  33. ^ "UK steps up action against Israel over Gaza offensive". BBC News. 20 May 2025. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  34. ^ Keddie, Patrick; Najjar, Farah. "'Tragedy': Starving crowds storm Gaza aid site as 'man-made' crisis grows". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  35. ^ Motamedi, Maziar; Osgood, Brian; Uras, Umut. "'Massacre': Israeli missiles hit Gaza school as death toll nears 54,000". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  36. ^ Brian Osgood; Umut Uras. "Israeli military issues forced displacement order for Gaza's Khan Younis". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  37. ^ a b Francis, Ellen; Ríos, Beatriz (30 May 2025). "Europe's leaders are scolding Israel over Gaza, but will they go further?". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  38. ^ Brian Osgood; Umut Uras. "Israeli military issues forced displacement order for Gaza's Khan Younis". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  39. ^ Siddiqui, Usaid; Quillen, Stephen. "Israel pounds Gaza, killing 42, as EU, UK step up pressure". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  40. ^ "Pope Leo XIV calls for aid to reach Gaza and an end to hostilities in his first general audience". AP News. 21 May 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
  41. ^ "EU says Israeli strikes in Gaza go beyond what is necessary to fight Hamas". BBC News. 28 May 2025. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
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