On May 18, 2025, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans for an intensified military operation in Gaza, stating the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) will enter the region “with full force” in the coming days to defeat Hamas and secure the release of hostages.
ME-100, Middle East Chief:
Israel’s launch of “Operation Gideon’s Chariots” marks a pivotal shift from tactical retaliation to strategic occupation, with Prime Minister Netanyahu declaring intentions to seize full control of Gaza and displace its 2.1 million residents under the guise of safety. This maneuver, while framed as a counterterrorism effort, effectively aims to dismantle Hamas’s infrastructure and reconfigure Gaza’s governance landscape.
The operation has intensified humanitarian crises, with over 500 Palestinian casualties reported in the past eight days and widespread famine looming due to prolonged blockades.International pressure, particularly from the U.S., has compelled Israel to permit limited humanitarian aid, though distribution remains contentious and inadequate.
The offensive’s success hinges not only on military might but also on managing global diplomatic fallout and internal political dissent, as evidenced by divisions within Israel’s cabinet and public protests. Long-term, this strategy risks entrenching cycles of violence and undermining prospects for a sustainable resolution, as it prioritizes territorial control over addressing underlying political grievances.
“If we are to live, we must be like the river—bending, flowing, adapting—but never ceasing.”
— Mahmoud Darwish
ME-100, Middle East Chief
III’ Corporate