Katz approves IOF plan to occupy Gaza City: ‘Gideon’s Chariots B’

Israeli Security Minister Israel Katz approved on Wednesday a new plan aimed at occupying Gaza City. The new operation, named Gideon’s Chariots B, is presented as a continuation of Operation Gideon’s Chariots.

According to occupation sources, the plan outlines renewed military actions targeting what remains of Gaza City’s infrastructure. The offensive is framed as the next step to expand IOF control beyond the areas already occupied.

The original operation, Gideon’s Chariots, was panned by media and security officials for running counter to the stated aims of the war on Gaza, which was the release of the captives. In reality, the retrieval of the captives ranked at the bottom of the stated objectives of Gideon’s Chariots.

Moreover, its main stated aim was the complete destruction of Hamas’ military and administrative infrastructure in Gaza, yet the Resistance is still conducting operations across the Strip on a daily basis, resulting in casualties among Israeli troops.

50,000 reservists needed to shore up manpower

To meet operational demands for this new operation, the IOF has issued approximately 50,000 call-up orders to reservists, in addition to those already serving. The move is part of broader preparations to ensure sufficient manpower for the planned escalation, as reported by The Jerusalem Post.

On Sunday, Israeli Army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir approved plans to occupy Gaza City, spanning two phases: a first phase involving displacing civilians and blockading the city, while the second phase entails a gradual, slow military entry into the urban area.

The first phase will involve establishing so-called “humanitarian zones with essential infrastructure” in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, paving the way for a large-scale displacement of civilians from Gaza City. This will be followed by the launch of a ground operation to encircle the city while continuing the evacuation process.

In the second phase, Israeli forces will gradually enter and occupy the city, advancing slowly while continuing airstrikes.

Since October 7, 2023, the genocide has claimed the lives of 62,064 people and injured 156,573 others. Since the collapse of the ceasefire on March 18, 2025, the number of martyrs has reached 10,518, with 44,532 injuries documented.

In the latest death toll on Tuesday, the Gaza Health Ministry reported that in 24 hours alone, 60 martyrs, including two recovered from under the rubble, and 343 injuries were recorded at hospitals across Gaza.