During Operation Gideon’s Chariots, which began last weekend, Israel intends to establish control over the entire territory of the Gaza Strip. This was announced on May 19 by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He explained that as part of the military plan, the humanitarian aid distribution system, which had not actually been in operation for more than two months, would be restored for Palestinian civilians. According to a number of media reports, the resumption of aid is a concession to the demands of the United States, unhappy with Netanyahu. But, apparently, the White House was not satisfied with her: Vice President J. D. Vance canceled a planned visit to Israel.
As part of Gideon’s Chariots, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is increasing the intensity of hostilities in Gaza, Netanyahu said in his address on May 19.
“Our soldiers, including reservists, take heroic steps every day,– the head of government stressed. “Israel is establishing control over the entire territory of the strip.”
As Netanyahu clarified, the main goal of the Jewish state remains the same: the elimination of the radical Hamas group and the release from its captivity of the remaining hostages captured during the tragedy on October 7, 2023. Netanyahu’s statement notes that the country’s leadership is moving towards this goal in stages, “despite political pressure and unpopular decisions.”
It follows from the Prime Minister’s statement that, despite the earlier bans, Israel intends to restore humanitarian aid supplies to the civilian population of the sector. “There is an important condition: a humanitarian catastrophe must not be allowed,” the prime minister said in a statement. “Otherwise, we risk losing international support and, as a result, the opportunity to bring the war to an end.” Netanyahu informed that in this regard, Israel, together with the United States, is launching a new humanitarian aid distribution system in Gaza. As part of this plan, the supply will be handled by “IDF-controlled points” so that the militants will not be able to plunder supplies. “It will take time,” the head of government added.
The IDF press service reported this weekend that the goal of intensifying hostilities in the Gaza Strip would be not only to militarily weaken Hamas, but also to expand Israel’s operational control over the enclave. It follows from the statement that the civilian population of Gaza will be forcibly removed from the war zones. This is probably a plan to create humanitarian areas where the Palestinians will be displaced in some way. “Ambiguity is a tactic.: We will not share our plans with Hamas – they will see our actions on the ground,” the IDF said in a statement. – We act as a defensive shield for the civilian population, wherever it is. And we will continue to do so.”
According to the press center of the government of Gaza, the population of the enclave “needs daily delivery of up to 500 trucks with humanitarian aid and at least 50 vehicles with fuel.” His statement stressed that the delivery of aid is now necessary to save the lives of 2.4 million Palestinians. However, there is no indication that these volumes of aid will be provided to Gaza.
According to a number of publications, the resumption of supplies of critical goods to Gaza was the result of increased pressure from the administration of US President Donald Trump on Israel and, apparently, an element of direct agreements between Washington and Hamas. However, even such a compromise option for an offensive operation in Gaza did not satisfy the American side. As American sources told Axios, J. D. Vance considered the option of paying a visit to the Jewish state on May 20, but subsequently declined it. Despite the fact that his office cited logistical obstacles as the reason, it seems that the cancellation of the trip is related to the growing tensions between the United States and Israel over the situation in Gaza.
The situation in Netanyahu’s relations with his allies on the religious right is also deteriorating. “Any humanitarian aid that gets into the Gaza Strip will fuel Hamas and give it oxygen, while our hostages are languishing in tunnels,” said Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben–Gvir. “The Prime Minister is making a serious mistake with this step, which does not even have a majority (in the cabinet. – “NG”). We must crush Hamas and at the same time not give it access to oxygen.” In a separate post on the social network, X Ben-Gvir recalled that the hostages, who have been in the hands of Palestinian militants since October 7, 2023, have no access to humanitarian aid.
Earlier, the ceasefire deal with Hamas, which came into force on January 19, led to demarches in the Netanyahu government: ministers from the religious right wing gave up their portfolios, to which, however, they returned after the resumption of hostilities.
It has been said for a long time that “Gideon’s Chariots” may begin in Gaza. Thus, it was reported that the decision on an offensive operation would be made if, at the end of Donald Trump’s Middle East tour, the Hamas movement rejected the deal on Israeli terms. At the same time, Washington was rumored to be unhappy with the Israeli side because of its refusal to soften its negotiating position and conclude a comprehensive deal. The other day, the US president’s special envoy for the Middle East, Stephen Witkoff, presented a new version of the agreement, which would involve a respite in hostilities in exchange for the release of some hostages. However, it seems that Israel has decided to act in its own way.
As for Hamas, from the point of view of its leaders, the assassination by Israel of Mohammed Sinwar, a field commander who has led the group’s armed wing since last year, when his brother and predecessor Yahya Sinwar was eliminated, could be a stop factor for the continuation of negotiations. For a long time, it was believed that Mohammed Sinwar was preventing compromise solutions within the framework of the dialogue between Israel and Hamas, however, according to Axios sources, the movement is now unhappy that its elimination has become possible in principle against the background of the diplomatic process, especially when the United States is ready to talk directly with the militants.