YAAKOV LAPPIN
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) views 2025 as a defined year of war, maintaining an intense operational tempo across multiple arenas, with a heavy focus on Gaza and Iran. At the same time, the IDF is planning to undertake "adaptation and force development" driven by current and future threats.
Most immediately, according to a security source, is Operation Gideon's Chariots, aimed at defeating Hamas in Gaza and releasing all remaining Israeli hostages.
This IDF plan was unanimously approved in a vote taken on May 4 by the Security Cabinet. It was formulated by Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz.
Under the plan, the IDF will mobilize tens of thousands of soldiers to Gaza to destroy its remaining military and governmental capabilities, while creating strong pressure on Hamas's leadership to release the remaining hostages, according to the security source.
Israel has reportedly set a deadline to Hamas, calling on the terror group to enter into a hostage deal by the end of U.S. President Donald Trump's scheduled visit to the region on May 15. During this time, the IDF will prepare for Operation Gideon's Chariots.
"A strong protective envelope will be provided for maneuvering forces from land, air, and sea, including the use of heavy tools to neutralize explosives and destroy threatening structures," the source said.
Evacuating Gazans from combat zones
"A central component of the plan is the widespread evacuation of the entire Gazan population from combat zones, including from northern Gaza, to areas in southern Gaza, while creating separation between them and Hamas terrorists--to allow the IDF operational freedom of action," the source added. "Unlike in the past, the IDF will remain in every area that is conquered, to prevent the return of terrorism, and will handle every cleared area according to the 'Rafah model,' in which all threats were flattened and it became part of the security zone."
The humanitarian closure will continue and only later, after the start of operational activity and widespread evacuation of the population to the south, will a humanitarian plan be activated, as presented by the IDF and approved by the Cabinet.
The plan "will differentiate between aid and Hamas by utilizing civilian companies and demarcating the area, which will be secured by the IDF, including creating a sterile zone in the Rafah area beyond the Morag route, where those entering will be filtered by the IDF to prevent the presence of Hamas operatives," the source explained.
"The force preparation prior to the start of the maneuver will allow a window of opportunity until the end of the U.S. president's visit to the region, to carry out a hostage deal according to the 'Witkoff model.' In such a case, Israel will seek to retain the cleared areas added to the security zone beyond the March lines."
The source stressed that in any temporary or permanent arrangement, Israel would not evacuate the security zone around Gaza, which is intended to protect the communities and prevent the smuggling of weapons to Hamas.
Operation Gideon's Chariots
"If a hostage deal is not made, Operation Gideon's Chariots will begin with great force and will not stop until all of its objectives are achieved. The voluntary transfer plan for Gaza residents, especially for those who will be concentrated in the south outside of Hamas control, will be part of the operation's objectives," the source said.
More broadly, in the coming months, the IDF's strategic focus centers on the Gaza Strip and countering threats from Iran, while preserving and building on security achievements attained across various fronts.
In Gaza, the strategy calls for expanded operations to increase pressure on Hamas. This pressure aims to advance negotiations for hostage return while systematically dismantling Hamas's capabilities.
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