Amid an escalating ground campaign and swirling reports about the potential elimination of top Hamas leader Mohammad Sinwar, the IDF confirmed Saturday evening that five military divisions are currently active within the Gaza Strip as part of Operation Gideon’s Chariots.
Delivering a live statement at 7:30 p.m., IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Deffrin declared that the military is entering a new phase of the war, aiming to partition the territory, displace civilians from combat zones, and expand operational control.
“We are entering a new phase of combat. Our forces are focused on gaining full operational control by dividing the territory and relocating civilians as a protective measure,” Deffrin said.
Full-Scale Ground Entry Confirmed
In a parallel statement, the IDF officially confirmed that regular and reserve units have launched a broad, organized ground maneuver throughout northern and southern Gaza. According to the statement, the offensive includes a combined effort to secure strategic ground, neutralize Hamas infrastructure, and disrupt enemy formations.
Airstrikes Target 670 Hamas Sites
In the week leading up to the ground incursion, the Israeli Air Force executed a massive aerial bombardment, striking over 670 targets across Gaza. These included weapons storage facilities, Hamas operatives, tunnel networks, and anti-tank missile launch sites. The air campaign was designed to cripple Hamas’s battlefield readiness and support the advancing ground forces.
Coordinated With Hostage Recovery Command
Deffrin emphasized that operations are being conducted in full coordination with Israel’s Hostage and Missing Persons Command to minimize harm to hostages: “We are doing everything to prevent harm to captives,” he said, stressing that operational ambiguity is part of the strategy. “We will not inform Hamas of our plans—they will see them executed on the ground.”
Reservist Mobilization and Strategic Shift
“We have launched a large-scale reserve mobilization. Our reservists understand the urgency and have shown up in impressive numbers,” Deffrin added.
“Unlike previous rounds, we are now concentrating overwhelming offensive pressure on Gaza—with the explicit goal of achieving victory.”
