By Peter Omopo
The Israeli military has launched a new large-scale offensive in the Gaza Strip, dubbed Operation Gideon’s Chariots, resulting in the deaths of at least 100 people, according to Gaza’s civil defence agency.
In a statement on Saturday, the Israeli army said it had begun the “initial stages” of a renewed campaign aimed at regaining operational control in Gaza, rescuing hostages, and defeating Hamas. The army reported that more than 150 targets across the enclave were hit in the last 24 hours.
“The expansion of the battle in the Gaza Strip is intended to achieve all of the war’s objectives,” the Israeli military stated, noting troop mobilisations across key areas of the territory.
The fresh assault follows the collapse of a two-month ceasefire on March 18, as Israel resumed its military campaign in response to the October 2023 attacks launched by Hamas. The resurgence in violence has drawn renewed international criticism.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, condemned the ongoing bombardments and restrictions on humanitarian aid, warning of what he described as “a push for a permanent demographic shift in Gaza… tantamount to ethnic cleansing.”
The conflict has also reignited domestic and international pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with humanitarian organisations warning of dire shortages of food, clean water, fuel, and medicine due to the ongoing blockade.
Families of Israeli hostages captured by Hamas have urged Netanyahu to prioritise diplomacy over continued military action. A leading campaign group representing the families accused the government of squandering a “historic opportunity” to secure the captives’ release.
Meanwhile, Hamas has called on the United States to pressure Israel into lifting the aid blockade, linking it to the release of an American-Israeli hostage in a bid to resume stalled negotiations.
