The operation, initially presented as a decisive effort to establish full military and political control over Gaza, has failed to achieve its stated objectives.
The Israeli military announced on Thursday it has begun reducing its forces in the Gaza Strip, including the withdrawal of the 98th Division.
According to Israeli Army Radio, the decision follows the official conclusion of the Gideon Chariot operation, a large-scale offensive launched in early May 2025.
Over the past several days, paratrooper, commando, and armored brigades have reportedly been pulled out of the territory.
The operation, initially presented as a decisive effort to establish full military and political control over Gaza, has failed to achieve its stated objectives.
This was acknowledged by Israel’s Channel 13, which reported that none of the goals set by the Israeli Cabinet at the start of the campaign had been met.
According to the Palestinian Center for Israeli Studies, cited by Al Mayadeen, the Gideon Chariot operation aimed to restructure Gaza through a series of sweeping military measures.
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These included the creation of buffer zones — described by analysts as resembling ghettos — where Palestinian civilians would be concentrated. The purpose was to allow Israeli forces freedom of movement and operational flexibility across the rest of the territory.
In addition to redrawing the security and demographic map of Gaza, the operation sought to dismantle Hamas’ governance, destroy its infrastructure, and recover Israeli captives. It was also intended to consolidate long-term Israeli strategic control over the enclave.
The withdrawal announcement comes amid increasing international scrutiny of Israel’s actions in Gaza and growing pressure to end the war.
The move also coincides with a marked intensification of Palestinian resistance operations in the Strip.
Palestinian resistance groups have continued to carry out attacks against Israeli forces, particularly in Khan Yunis and central Gaza, inflicting casualties and slowing military advances.
On Thursday, the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian Resistance Movement Hamas, announced that it had shelled a group of Israeli soldiers and military vehicles with mortars in the Al-Qarara area, east of Khan Yunis.
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Earlier in the week, the Brigades said it detonated three barrel bombs targeting Israeli vehicles near the Batn al-Sameen area, killing and wounding several soldiers.
On Saturday, Al-Qassam fighters claimed responsibility for targeting two Israeli armored personnel carriers with explosive devices in the cockpits. After both vehicles were set ablaze, a third was hit with a Yasin 105 anti-tank missile in Abasan al-Kabira, also in Khan Yunis.
Palestinian resistance operations have intensified in recent days, particularly in Khan Yunis and Rafah, as Israeli ground forces continue their offensive across southern Gaza. These operations have led to numerous Israeli casualties.
(PC, Al Mayadeen)
The Jewish Nazis suck at everything they do. Well, except murdering defenseless non-combatants: mostly women and children, who are sleeping in tents…they are very good at that. Dropping 500 pound bombs on them at 4AM, blowing them to bits: unrecognizable chunks of flesh on the sand…yes, they are very good at that. But fighting real soldiers who actually fight back?? not so much…
To hell with Wasrael. The Jewish Nazis are scum. The world will be a better place when they’re all dead.
Of course they are retreating. The diaper army can’t fight. Are scared to get out of their tanks. And Iran hit their targets so well they are a shambles. Thinking 19yo children playing at war could stop a real resistance force was never in Netanyahu’s mind. But this society is so deluded by their cult upbringing they still think they can win.
The US can use Trump to talk shit all he wants. They bombed Yemen for over a decade and they’re still there. Still redirecting shipping traffic around the horn of Africa.
The UK government still support these terrorists and always will. They want the gas and oil for BP and King. They won’t ever stop. But the Americans will just go home like they do
It is so good to hear that Hamas and others despite the terror have increased their fight back against the IDF. Trump is a bastard who talks shit, as for Starmer and his ‘friends of Israel’ they are corrupt, they should all be judged at the Hague.
I was born in England but call myself a Gerordie/Italian,because I am ashamed of my governement, even the Tories are dressing down Labour on their stance on Palestine like thousands I am out on the streets most day fighting for the freedom of Palestine, I have being doing this for 35 years now and will not stop till Palestine is free. East Timor won freedom because with Fretlin and people around the world fighting for them, we will win again