All the IDF’s standing army infantry and armored brigades have officially deployed to Gaza as Israel prepares to further intensify its offensive against Hamas in the next phase of Operation Gideon’s Chariots.
IDF Southern Command troops, including both regular and reserve service solders from the 98th Division, 162nd Division, 36th Division, 252nd Division, and the Gaza Division initiated ground activities last week in the northern and southern Gaza Strip, as part of the operation.
This weekend the Paratroopers Brigade entered Gaza, operating under the 98th Division, joining the Golani, Givati, Kfir, Nahal, 7th, 188th and 401st Brigades, along with a small number of reserve units.
They are focusing the attack on the southern city of Khan Younis, where many high-ranking Hamas leaders have been tracked down and killed.
Although the war has lasted more than 600 days – and sometimes seems like it might last forever – IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir emphasized during a tour of Khan Younis on Sunday with Southern Command chief Major General Yaniv Asor that in fact, this is “not a forever war.”
“We are intensifying our activity in accordance with the orderly plan. Hamas is under tremendous pressure; it has lost most of its assets and its command and control,” Zamir said. “We will activate all of our tools so that we can return the hostages home, defeat Hamas, and dismantle its rule.
“This is not an endless war; we will act to shorten it per the fulfillment of its objectives. We seek to achieve a decisive victory, and we will do so with determination, thoroughness, and while ensuring the safety of our forces,” he added.
