“Israel” Escalates Genocidal War on Gaza with “Gideon’s Chariots” as Civilian Toll Mounts
By Staff, Agencies
The "Israeli" Occupation Forces [IOF] launched a new phase of their brutal war on the Gaza Strip on Friday, announcing the beginning of a large-scale military assault dubbed “Gideon’s Chariots”.
The renewed offensive includes intense aerial bombardment, ground invasions, and a declared intent to seize further Palestinian territory.
According to "Israeli" media, the IOF—with backing from the Shin Bet—carried out over 150 airstrikes targeting Gaza earlier in the day. "Israeli" warplanes reportedly bombed the besieged enclave every four minutes, unleashing unprecedented destruction on densely populated neighborhoods including Beit Lahiya and Jabalya.
Palestinian authorities have reported dozens of civilian deaths and injuries resulting from the attacks. In Beit Lahiya, residents told the BBC that IOF tanks advanced into the Al-Salateen area, destroying several civilian homes. Thousands of residents were forcibly displaced as IOF leaflets dropped from the sky ordered immediate evacuation under threat of death: “Urgent warning! To everyone in this area... evacuate immediately southward.”
The IOF has reportedly encircled Jabalia and its refugee camp, raising fears of another massacre in the already devastated north. The air raids have intensified beyond even the scale of the October 2023 attacks, and the military buildup suggests a protracted assault that could extend well into 2025.
Meanwhile, high-ranking UN officials have condemned the escalation in strong terms. UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Turk warned that the current military campaign could amount to ethnic cleansing, saying:
“This latest barrage of bombs… and the denial of humanitarian assistance underline that there appears to be a push for a permanent demographic shift in Gaza that is in defiance of international law and is tantamount to ethnic cleansing.”
UN spokesperson Jeremy Laurence added:
“The laws of war, built on the Geneva Conventions, are sacrosanct… All actors are bound to strictly respect these rules. Those who do not must be held to account.”
Despite the humanitarian outcry, the IOF claims the offensive aims to eliminate Hamas and secure the release of captives, though no clarity has been offered on the military’s endgame. A source cited by The “Jerusalem” Post said the IOF intends to maintain permanent control over the areas it invades—applying the same model used in Rafah where residents were forcibly displaced and aid was blocked.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier declared plans for full "Israeli" military control of Gaza, mass displacement of Palestinians to the south, and cutting off Hamas's ability to distribute humanitarian aid—policies critics say amount to war crimes.
The operation was postponed until after US President Donald Trump concluded his regional visit—signaling Washington's continued political cover for "Israel’s" aggression.
Amid all this, growing voices inside the "Israeli" Knesset are questioning the lack of transparency and clarity in Netanyahu’s war objectives. Opposition lawmakers have demanded War Minister Israel Katz appear before the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee to explain the real goals behind this latest campaign.
With 10,000 additional soldiers reportedly needed for the expanded war and mass reserve call-ups already underway, it is feared that "Israel’s" genocidal war on Gaza will continue deep into 2025, with no regard for international law or civilian life.
