ISRAEL has begun a “broad” invasion of Gaza, as it launches a fresh offensive to seize the entire strip and wipe out Hamas.
The latest wave of attacks has provoked the group’s Houthi allies who have vowed to take revenge on Israel.
The IDF said on Sunday that it had mobilised troops for “Operation Gideon’s Chariots” to seize “strategic areas” of the Strip.
Gideon’s Chariots – named after a biblical warrior – represents an initiative where the IDF would secure and manage territories, relocate civilians to the southern part of the strip, and engage Hamas, as reported by The Times of Israel.
According to the military, “In the past day, IDF forces from the Southern Command, including both regular troops and reserves, initiated a comprehensive ground offensive throughout both the northern and southern regions of the Gaza Strip, marking the launch of Operation Gideon’s Chariots.”
The IDF’s Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir, added that the operation’s goal was clear.
Zamir said: “Defeat the enemy and destroy its infrastructure wherever we operate.”
The IDF said that in the past week more than 670 “Hamas targets” have been struck down by the Israeli Air Force.
The assaults have had a severe impact, with the Gaza Strip’s health ministry, which is managed by Hamas, reporting that at least 464 Palestinians have been killed during this period.
And an additional 130 people were reportedly killed in overnight strikes.
A spokesperson for the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said: “Complete families were wiped off the civil registration record by Israeli bombardment”.
The ministry also said the strikes had forced the closure of the Indonesian Hospital – the main hospital in northern Gaza.
Shocking aerial footage shows Israel launching the attacks while more footage shows its army gathering tanks.
The fresh offensive has sparked fury from Hamas’ staunch ally – the Houthis – who issued a chilling warning to Israel.
The Yemeni terror group vowed to take revenge on Israel – starting with their airports.
Houthi spokesperson Nasruddin Amer wrote on X: “Warning and caution: In the coming hours, the Yemeni armed forces, relying on God, will carry out military operations targeting Ben Gurion Airport in Lod and other Zionist airports.
“This is due to the recent Zionist escalation against the Gaza Strip and the aggression against Yemen, and in continuation of the Yemeni leadership’s decision to impose a ban on this airport and other airports, in addition to the naval ban and the closure of Umm al-Rashrash port until the aggression stops and the siege on Gaza is lifted.
“Disclaimer: The remaining airlines at the airport must leave immediately, and all those present there, especially foreigners, must leave for their safety.”
This comes after indirect talks were held between Israel and Hamas in Qatar over the weekend.
Hamas has reportedly agreed to release nine hostages in exchange for a 60-day truce and Israel releasing Palestinian prisoners, according to the BBC.
The new proposed deal will also reportedly allow the entry of 400 aid trucks a day and the evacuation of medical patients from Gaza.
This will bring an end to the aid blockade on the Strip which has been in place since March after a two-month ceasefire broke down between Israel and Hamas.
Israel previously said the decision to cut off aid to Gaza was to force concessions from Hamas, which still holds dozens of Israeli hostages seized during October 7.
Hamas has released 38 hostages under the ceasefire that began on January 19.
Hamas released the last known American hostage on Monday.
Edan Alexander, 21, an Israeli-American soldier who grew up in the US, was abducted from his base during the October 7 terror attack.
Israel is yet to respond to the proposed deal but previously said that it would not withdraw troops from Gaza or commit to an end to the war.
