According to some reports, Operation "Gideon’s Chariots" — a major military campaign in the Gaza Strip — has begun. In my view, that’s not entirely accurate, and I’ll explain why.
On the night of Shabbos, the IDF began deploying significant forces into Gaza after hours of massive bombardment — at least 150 terrorist targets were struck, and at least 100 militants were killed. The attacks included artillery shelling, strikes by navy vessels, and air raids. In the northern part of the Strip, the IDF destroyed a strategic tunnel two kilometres long!
Numerous targets were hit in the north of the Strip as well as in the so-called “central camps” in the middle of Gaza — areas where the IDF had hardly operated on the ground until now — such as Deir al-Balah and Nuseirat. Additionally, the IDF ordered the immediate evacuation of civilians from northern Gaza and from the areas east of Gaza City.
The immediate result of this ground activity was that Hamas promptly announced its return to the negotiating table — without any preconditions. This came after several days during which Hamas had refused any progress unless Israel first agreed to a long list of concessions...
In other words: only military pressure has an effect. Neither threats, nor talks, nor even airstrikes — only ground operations truly put pressure on the cursed Hamas.
We’ve always known this, and now we’re seeing it with our own eyes: only the liberation of our territory from the enemy throws them into panic.
At present, Hamas has returned to negotiations, and a deal is being discussed that would lead to the immediate release of 10 hostages — not to end the war, but with a two-month ceasefire. This is the American plan. However, Hamas is insisting on an end to the war and a full withdrawal of the IDF from the Strip.
Clearly, from our perspective, such a plan is unacceptable — Hamas must release everyone. And the path to this is not retreat, not hesitation, but pressing forward with full force — either Hamas will break, or the operatives and civilians guarding the hostages will panic and release them in exchange for a guarantee of their own safety, or — with G-d’s help — we will physically reach the hostages.
Only strong military pressure will yield results — both in the release of hostages and in the final destruction of Hamas. Now is not the time to stop — we must send in our troops for intensive battles and win!
What is happening on the ground now?
As far as I understand, and despite the reports cited above, there are still no intensive ground battles.
That is, contrary to headlines stating that “Operation Gideon’s Chariots has begun,” in reality, the tens of thousands of soldiers mobilised or transferred from other fronts have not yet launched a ground offensive. Only a portion of them has entered certain areas and taken up positions — and even that was already enough to exert pressure on Hamas, which immediately surrendered and returned to negotiations.
What does this mean?
Unfortunately, it means that the government has not yet given the IDF the order for a large-scale ground manoeuvre that would definitively eliminate Hamas and free the hostages. As I understand it, the government is hesitating, waiting to see whether the negotiation process — resumed on Shabbos (after Hamas, as mentioned, saw our forces moving through the Strip and taking positions) — yields results.
Let us pray that the Almighty gives our leaders the strength and courage to withstand all pressures — both internal and external — and to ultimately crush the cursed heirs of Nazism. And of course, let us pray for the success and safety of our soldiers, and for the swift return of all the hostages.