Defense Minister Israel Katz gave the go-ahead for the Israel Defense Forces' assault plan on Gaza City, outlined by Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and senior IDF leadership.
Israel Katz commended the plan and the IDF's readiness to execute the Diplomatic-Security Cabinet decision to seize Gaza City, paving the way to end the war by securing the release of all hostages, dismantling Hamas' military capabilities, expelling its senior leaders, demilitarizing Gaza, establishing a security buffer zone to safeguard Gaza border communities, and maintaining the IDF's operational freedom in the region. He emphasized that once the operation concludes, Gaza will undergo a profound transformation, unrecognizable from its past state.
Named "Operation Gideon's Chariots II," the plan follows the success of "Operation Gideon's Chariots," which neutralized Hamas and secured IDF control over 75% of Gaza's territory by eliminating terrorists and destroying terror infrastructure above and below ground in cleared zones. The plan includes issuing reserve call-up orders to support the offensive. Humanitarian measures have also been approved to manage the evacuation of Gaza City residents southward at the operation's outset, isolating Hamas terrorists for elimination.
Starting Wednesday, the IDF will issue 60,000 reserve call-up orders for the Gaza operation, adding to the 70,000 reservists currently serving, totaling approximately 130,000 reservists. The new orders will take effect in early September, about two weeks from now. The IDF is bracing for potentially lower reservist turnout due to ongoing fatigue.
In response to the operation's announcement, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum declared, "The hostage families urgently demand a meeting this morning with the Defense Minister and Chief of Staff to clarify how 'Operation Gideon's Chariots II' will avoid causing the 'murder of the six hostages II.' Approving a Gaza takeover while a deal awaits Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's approval is outright sabotage and a blow to the families and the Israeli public."
They further stated, "A comprehensive agreement is both possible and essential. The plan that should have been approved last night is one to return the last hostage. Benjamin Netanyahu, this is what the people of Israel demand: the 50 hostages and one female hostage back home, not another 'publication permitted.' The conditions for a deal are ready, and it's in your hands. The people stand with the hostages. The people will bring the hostages home."
