The Israeli military said Saturday it had launched “extensive strikes” as part of a fresh offensive in Gaza, after rescuers reported 100 people killed in the besieged Palestinian territory.
The new operation, named Operation Gideon’s Chariots, marks an expansion of Israel’s military efforts in Gaza. According to a statement posted on the army’s Telegram channel, the offensive aims to achieve multiple goals, including the release of hostages and the defeat of Hamas.
The military said it is moving troops to take operational control over parts of the Gaza Strip.
The Gaza Civil Defence reported that Israeli airstrikes on Friday resulted in the deaths of 100 people. The Israeli army also said it struck over 150 terrorist targets within a 24-hour period. This escalation came after a two-month pause in fighting that ended on March 18, following the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel which ignited the ongoing conflict.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under growing pressure from international groups to lift the blockade on Gaza, which has severely limited access to food, water, fuel, and medical supplies. Humanitarian organizations have warned that the civilian population is facing critical shortages as a result.
The United Nations rights chief, Volker Turk, said on Friday that the latest Israeli strikes and blockade seem to push towards a “permanent demographic shift in Gaza” which violates international law and amounts to “ethnic cleansing.” Families of Israeli hostages have also expressed concern that the continuation of fighting reduces the chances of rescuing those held captive through diplomatic means.
Hamas has called on the United States to pressure Israel into reopening aid crossings as part of negotiations over hostage releases. Recently, the last American hostage was freed after US-led talks, and Hamas officials say they expect more US efforts to ease the blockade.
In response, Israel maintains that the blockade is necessary to force Hamas to make concessions, as the group continues to hold dozens of Israeli hostages captured in the October attack.
US President Donald Trump acknowledged the humanitarian crisis, saying, “a lot of people are starving” in Gaza and promising to address the situation. Meanwhile, the Arab League plans to meet in Baghdad to discuss regional tensions, with Gaza as a key topic.
The conflict has caused immense loss of life, with nearly 3,000 killed since fighting resumed in March, and the overall death toll in the war surpassing 53,000. The situation remains tense as international calls for ceasefire grow louder.
