Israeli Forces Launch New Wave of Brutality in Gaza
According to webangah News Agency, israel’s security cabinet approved the “Chariots of Gideon” operation in early May 2024, claiming it would achieve military and political victory in Gaza while continuing its genocidal campaign against Palestinian civilians.
The three-phase operation involves five pressure tactics against Hamas, aiming to force the resistance group into accepting a prisoner exchange deal and disarmament without ending the war. Israel has already begun mobilizing tens of thousands of reserve troops for this purpose.
Operation Objectives
Israeli media reported on May 5 that the operation seeks complete occupation of Gaza.
Name Importance
The Hebrew name “Merkavot Gideon” (Chariots of Gideon) carries Talmudic, historical and military symbolism for Zionists. Israel previously named its 1948 Nakba-era military takeover of Beisan as “Operation Gideon,” which forcibly displaced Palestinians from the area. The current name signals plans for expanded warfare across Gaza with intensified violence mirroring past atrocities.
The Original Operation Gideon (1948)
this was among the final operations conducted by Zionist paramilitary group Haganah before Britain’s Palestine mandate ended. The Golani Brigade executed it between May 10-15, 1948, massacring Palestinians to seize control of Beisan.
Phases of Chariots of Gideon
- A months-long northern Gaza offensive involving forced displacement southward and permanent Israeli troop deployment
- Aerial bombardments alongside ground assaults under claimed “humanitarian” measures relocating civilians to Rafah shelters
- Gradual large-scale occupation across northern Gaza aimed at destroying Hamas infrastructure including tunnels
Despite previous northern occupations, Israel failed to eliminate Hamas’ operational capabilities there while suffering significant combat losses from resistance ambushes.
