The Israel Defense Forces are preparing for an intensified ground maneuver as part of Operation Gideon's Chariots. However, the operational details raise concerns among officers. Although the operation is significantly broader than previous ones, Israel has chosen not to implement several key measures. The decision not to employ all available options has sparked anger among officers, who believe that only a full-force approach will dismantle Hamas and bring closure to the events that began on October 7.
Israel Hayom has learned that in the first phase of the operation, there will be no attempt to move civilians south of the Morag axis, preventing Gazans from advancing further south toward Egypt as part of a potential plan to relocate them to a third country. In addition, no efforts are expected to be made to disconnect the population from Hamas—an approach which, despite the protracted conflict, maintains the organization's ties with Gaza's residents.
One of the most frustrating issues for members of the Diplomatic-Security Cabinet remains unresolved even under Operation Gideon's Chariots. While humanitarian aid has largely been halted, water continues to flow into the Gaza Strip at prewar levels.
Officers voiced their frustration over the continued operation of pipelines supplying water to Gaza, emphasizing that the flow remains uninterrupted. Israel Hayom has learned that the matter was brought before the cabinet at least once in recent months, but ultimately no decision was made.
"How can we expect to win when water flows as if nothing is happening?" officers asked before the operation was formally launched. According to them, "There are ways to provide the population with minimal water to prevent a humanitarian disaster, without maintaining a steady supply. It's a form of pressure against Hamas. As long as they have water, they can survive."
Operation Gideon's Chariots is expected, according to current plans, to last about a year. It remains unclear whether this is a multi-phase initiative, and what was outlined publicly may only represent the first phase. The news has deeply frustrated many reservist officers. "We come back again and again, sacrifice ourselves, and are proud to do so," one said. "But it's time to end this. We cannot keep spinning our wheels."
