Israel has gone all guns blazing with a “broad” invasion of Gaza, aiming to seize the entire strip and wipe out Hamas in a fresh offensive. This move has not gone down well with the group’s Houthi allies, who have sworn to seek revenge on Israel. The IDF announced on Sunday that it had kicked off “Operation Gideon’s Chariots” to capture “strategic areas” of the Strip. The operation, named after a biblical warrior, involves seizing and controlling territory, relocating civilians to the south of the strip, and launching attacks on Hamas.
The IDF Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir, emphasized that the main objective of the operation was crystal clear: “Defeat the enemy and destroy its infrastructure wherever we operate.” A leaked map, purportedly seen by The Sunday Times, unveiled Israel’s latest plans for the Gaza strip. The controversial proposal delineates military zones designated for Israeli troops in the north, center, and south, with civilian areas interspersed. It is believed that civilians would be barred from traveling between the sections without prior permission, and stringent security measures would be in place for the transfer of goods. Over the past week, the Israeli Air Force has reportedly targeted more than 670 “Hamas targets,” resulting in a significant death toll of at least 464 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry.
The fresh offensive has triggered outrage from Hamas’ staunch ally, the Houthis, who have issued a chilling warning to Israel. The Yemeni rebel group has vowed to retaliate against Israel, starting with their airports. Houthi spokesperson Nasruddin Amer cautioned that the Yemeni armed forces would carry out military operations targeting Ben Gurion Airport in Lod and other Zionist airports in response to Israeli aggression against Gaza and Yemen. The Houthis are demanding a cessation of aggression and the lifting of the siege on Gaza. Meanwhile, indirect talks between Israel and Hamas in Qatar have reportedly led to a proposed deal for a 60-day truce, the release of hostages, and the entry of aid trucks into Gaza. However, Israel’s response to the deal remains uncertain, with the country previously stating its reluctance to withdraw troops from Gaza or commit to ending the war.
In the midst of escalating tensions and military operations, the Houthi rebels, largely ignored by the world until recently, have seized control of large swathes of Yemen and have been targeting vessels and warships in the Red Sea. Their relentless attacks on ships, including commercial vessels, have disrupted global sea traffic and sent shipping prices soaring. The group’s battle cry of “Death to America, Death to Israel, curse the Jews and victory to Islam” reflects their extremist ideology. The Houthis’ attacks on the Red Sea are a response to Israel’s offensive in Gaza, and they have vowed to continue their assaults until Israel ceases its actions. Despite international condemnation and airstrikes on their strongholds, the Houthis remain undeterred in their attacks on ships in the region.
