‘Gideon’s Chariots II’: Katz approves Gaza City takeover plan
The plan was presented to him by IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and the military’s senior command team.
Defense Minister Israel Katz approved the IDF takeover of Gaza City plan on Wednesday, naming the operation “Gideon’s Chariots II.”
The plan was presented to him by IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir and the military’s senior command.
Present at the meeting were Deputy Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Tamir Yadai, Intelligence Directorate head Maj.-Gen. Shlomi Binder, Operations Directorate head Itzik Cohen, the head of Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the military unit responsible for civilian affairs in Gaza and the West Bank, including humanitarian aid – Maj.-Gen. Ghassan Alian, representatives from the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), and other senior officials in the security establishment.
The takeover is planned as a continuation of the first “Operation Gideon’s Chariots,” which was approved on May 4 and launched on May 16-17.
To meet operational demands, the IDF decided to send about 50,000 call-up orders to reservists – in addition to those already serving.
Aid packages are airdropped over Gaza, as seen from Gaza City, August 5, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa)
Preparations to evacuate civilians from Gaza City to the south of the Strip have also been approved, in order to isolate Hamas terrorists.
A senior official told The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday, “Operational planning is continuing as usual. We are determined to implement the cabinet’s decision to capture Gaza City, unless a framework is presented that includes the release of all hostages and an end to the war under the terms outlined by the prime minister.”
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum demanded an urgent meeting with Katz and Zamir in response to the approval of the plan, demanding they explain how the upcoming operation will not lead to the deaths of more hostages.
Hostage deal negotiations
The approval of the plans comes against an Egyptian-led proposal, backed by Hamas, that would involve the release of 10 hostages in exchange for a 60-day ceasefire.
While Israel continues to review the proposal, officials signaled that since it does not include the release of all the hostages, Israel is unlikely to respond positively or enter negotiations on it.
“Israel’s policy is consistent and has not changed: It demands the release of all 50 hostages in accordance with the principles set by the cabinet for ending the war,” said a senior political source. “We are at the decisive stage against Hamas, and we will not leave a single hostage behind.”
Amichai Stein contributed to this report.
