Inside ‘Gideon’s Chariots II’: The Operation That Could Decide the War

Israel is gearing up for what could become its most significant military push in Gaza since October 7. Defense Minister Israel Katz has given the green light to a comprehensive plan for the takeover of Gaza City, formally naming the operation Gideon’s Chariots II.

The blueprint, drawn up by IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir and the army’s top brass, was presented to Katz on Wednesday. The high-level briefing included Deputy Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Tamir Yadai, senior intelligence officials, Shin Bet representatives, and key figures from the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT).

Mass Call-Ups and Civilian Evacuations

According to defense sources, roughly 50,000 additional reservists are expected to be mobilized in the coming days to meet operational needs. Parallel to military preparations, the government has approved measures to evacuate civilians from Gaza City toward the southern Strip, a move aimed at isolating Hamas operatives entrenched in the area.

“Planning continues at full pace,” a senior Israeli official declared. “Unless a credible framework is presented that includes the immediate release of all hostages and a permanent end to hostilities, the IDF will carry out the cabinet’s directive to seize Gaza City.”

Hostage Families Push Back

The announcement has drawn swift reaction from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which requested an urgent meeting with Katz and Zamir. Families of captives fear that a full-scale offensive could endanger those still held in Gaza.

Israel’s security establishment is weighing the plan against an alternative floated by Hamas: the release of 10 hostages in exchange for a two-month ceasefire. Officials say the offer falls short of cabinet policy, which demands the release of all 50 remaining hostages as a prerequisite for ending the war.

“Israel’s position is unchanged,” a senior political source stressed. “Every hostage must come home. This is the decisive stage against Hamas, and we will not stop halfway.”

Airdrops Amid Escalation

As Israel finalizes its preparations, international aid continues to flow into Gaza by air. Images of parachuted food packages scattering across Gaza City in recent days underscore the humanitarian emergency unfolding in parallel with military planning.

Gideon’s Chariots II is framed as the continuation of an earlier operation of the same name, though Israeli officials acknowledge that this phase represents a far broader and riskier undertaking, one that could shape the trajectory of the war in the weeks ahead.