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The Israel Defense Forces say they're intensifying their offensive inside Gaza
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part of an operation they're calling Gideon's chariots.
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The IDF chief of staff has visited troops in the southern city of Khan Ununus
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where he told them that they have severely degraded the capabilities of Hamas
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and that they are not there to fight an endless war.
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This is as Israeli media report that every standing infantry
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and armored brigade of the IDF is now deployed to Gaza
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marking the biggest commitment since the peak of the war last year.
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Israeli military figures are estimating that this new offensive will last around two months
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and the goal is for Israel's military to directly control around 70% of the Gaza Strip.
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The Gaza media, is part of the Hamasrun government,
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says the Israeli military already controls 77% of Gaza,
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either through direct military presence, evacuation orders, or ongoing bombardment.
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And all of this is occurring in a context of very very difficult conditions
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for the Gazin population
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where Israel has been blocking the entry of food into Gaza
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until allowing a very small amount to come into the strip in recent days.
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Aid groups say it's vastly insufficient,
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but some of that food is starting to filter out into the population.
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And this week, reports are suggesting that
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the Israeli government is preparing to implement a new aid delivery mechanism that
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it's been planning for some time.
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This would see the Israeli military supervise areas in the south of the Gaza Strip
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where private contractors, including private security contractors, would distribute aid
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to certain people in Gaza.
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Israel says this plan will alleviate the suffering in Gaza caused by food shortages
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without allowing Hamas to take any of the food that comes into Gaza.
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But humanitarian groups, including the UN,
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have condemned the plan, saying it's gravely in breach of humanitarian principles
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and could allow Israel to use aid as a means to achieve military goals.
