Israel expands Gaza offensive campaign
The Israeli military has launched extensive ground operations across northern and southern Gaza as part of a new campaign named "Operation Gideon's Chariots." Overnight airstrikes reportedly killed at least 130 Palestinians, according to health officials, while indirect talks between Israel and Hamas in Doha have not yielded any progress toward a ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office indicated that discussions included a potential truce and a hostage deal, with proposals for the exile of Hamas militants and the demilitarization of Gaza—terms that Hamas has previously rejected.
A Hamas official stated that Israel's stance remains unchanged, seeking the release of hostages without committing to end the conflict. Hamas has proposed releasing all Israeli hostages in exchange for a cessation of hostilities, withdrawal of Israeli troops, lifting the blockade on Gaza, and the release of Palestinian prisoners. Casualties from Israeli strikes have been taken to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, where explosions and smoke were reported.
In response to increasing pressure regarding the aid blockade imposed in March, Israel announced it would ease restrictions and allow limited food supplies into Gaza. The military escalation follows a Hamas-led attack on southern Israeli communities on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and 251 hostages taken to Gaza.
The ongoing Israeli campaign has devastated Gaza, displacing nearly all of its two million residents and resulting in over 53,000 deaths, many of whom are civilians, according to Gaza health authorities. Since March, Israel has blocked medical, food, and fuel supplies to Gaza in an effort to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages and has considered plans to seize control of the entire Gaza Strip.
