The Israeli Defense Forces announced on Saturday that it had carried out “extensive strikes” as part of a new campaign in Gaza, after rescue teams reported 100 fatalities in the blockaded Palestinian region.
According to the army’s Telegram post, the “initial stages” of the operation, named Operation Gideon’s Chariots, had commenced.
The statement described the campaign as part of “the expansion of the battle in the Gaza Strip, to achieve all the war’s objectives, including the release of the abducted and the defeat of Hamas.”
In a separate update reported by AFP, the military stated that it was “mobilising troops to achieve operational control in areas of the Gaza Strip.”
Gaza’s civil defence organisation confirmed that 100 individuals were killed on Friday due to Israeli attacks, while the military reported that its forces had “struck over 150 terror targets throughout the Gaza Strip” within 24 hours.
Israel resumed its military campaign on March 18 following a two-month ceasefire in the ongoing war against Hamas, which began after an attack by the group in October 2023.
This latest operation coincides with growing pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to lift a comprehensive blockade on aid to Gaza, as humanitarian agencies warn of extreme shortages of food, clean water, fuel, and medical supplies.
Since March 18, the renewed fighting has drawn sharp international criticism. The UN’s human rights chief on Friday denounced the latest assaults and accused Israel of an apparent effort to forcibly displace Gaza’s population.
“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,” Volker Turk said.
Israel’s main campaign group representing hostage families argued that Netanyahu is losing a “historic opportunity” to rescue their relatives through diplomatic means by extending the military campaign.
On Friday, Hamas urged the United States to pressure Israel into lifting the blockade, following the release of a US-Israeli hostage.
Edan Alexander, the last known living hostage with American citizenship, was released last week after direct negotiations with the Trump administration, which reportedly excluded Israel from the process.
As part of the arrangement with Washington for Alexander’s release, senior Hamas official Taher al-Nunu said the group was “awaiting and expecting the US administration to exert further pressure” on Israel “to open the crossings and allow the immediate entry of humanitarian aid.”
Israel has stated that its decision to restrict aid deliveries to Gaza is intended to apply pressure on Hamas, which continues to hold dozens of hostages taken during the October 7, 2023 assault.
“People are starving”
On Friday, US President Donald Trump acknowledged that “a lot of people are starving” in Gaza.
“We’re looking at Gaza. And we’re going to get that taken care of,” Trump told reporters in Abu Dhabi, as part of a regional tour that notably excluded Israel.
The Arab League is scheduled to meet in Baghdad on Saturday to address regional tensions, with Gaza expected to be a central focus.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is attending the summit, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez—a vocal critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza—is expected to deliver remarks.
The October 7 Hamas attack resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.
Of the 251 hostages taken during that attack, 57 remain in Gaza. The military reports that 34 of those are confirmed dead.
Gaza’s health ministry, governed by Hamas, reported that 2,985 individuals have been killed since Israel resumed strikes on March 18, raising the overall death toll to 53,119.
What you should know
Israel has initiated a major operation in Gaza called Operation Gideon’s Chariots, resulting in significant casualties and renewed international backlash.
Humanitarian agencies warn of severe shortages, while critics accuse Israel of pushing for demographic displacement. The conflict continues amid failed diplomatic efforts and calls for increased aid access.
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