Israel Defense Forces launch ‘Gideon Chariots’ operation to release its remaining hostages

Tel Aviv: The Times of Israel said that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) had begun the ‘Gideon Chariots’ effort to free its remaining prisoners.

“IDF troops in the Southern Command will continue to operate to protect Israeli citizens and realize the goals of the war,” the Times of Israel said, citing military sources.

In the Gideon’s Chariots offensive, the IDF would “conquer” Gaza and hold onto the territory, relocate Palestinian civilians south of the Strip, attack Hamas, and stop the terrorist organization from seizing control of humanitarian aid supplies, according to Israeli officials cited by the Times of Israel.

In a post on X early on Saturday, the IDF also provided specifics of the operation, stating that it had started carrying out attacks and was mobilizing forces to establish “operational control” in the Gaza regions.

We won’t stop operating until Hamas is no longer a threat and all our hostages are home. pic.twitter.com/5xwOyDIocC

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 16, 2025

The IDF revealed the information in a post on X, saying that the operations were made to achieve the war’s goals, which include freeing the captives and destroying Hamas.

“Over the last day, the IDF has been launching massive attacks and assembling forces to establish operational authority in the Gaza regions. This is a component of the planning to increase operations and achieve the war’s goals, which include freeing hostages and eliminating the terrorist group Hamas. IDF forces will keep fighting to safeguard Israeli people and accomplish the war’s goals.

This follows the IDF’s previous announcement that it will keep up its operations until all of the hostages are freed and Hamas is no longer a danger.

“We won’t stop operating until Hamas is no longer a threat and all our hostages are home.”

Israeli soldiers have forced thousands of Palestinians to leave areas of northern Gaza, according to a report by Al Jazeera. At least 115 people have died as a consequence of the airstrikes since Friday, according to Al Jazeera.