Alongside increased military action, Israel boosts humanitarian aid into Gaza

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir announced on Tuesday that the military is preparing to capture more territory in Gaza as part of Operation "Gideon’s Chariots", if Hamas does not release the remaining Israeli hostages. 

“We are operating according to a predetermined plan and are now moving into the next stage,” Zamir said following a situational assessment and field tour in Gaza. “Hamas will pay the price for its refusal. It will face the full force of our firepower. We will expand our operation, establish operational control of additional territory, clear and dismantle the terrorist infrastructure – until Hamas is decisively defeated.” 

Israel announced the beginning of Gideon’s Chariots in advance of U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to the region – warning that if Hamas did not agree to a deal before his departure, it would proceed to the next phase of the operation seizing additional territory and relocating Gaza residents away from active combat zones.

According to officials, Israel will hold on to all territory it seizes, evacuating civilians before engaging in “sterilization” maneuvers intended to remove the presence of Hamas and its infrastructure.

Zamir noted that Israel is acting from a position of defense, not offense, but clarified that in order to defend itself against Hamas – which has been launching rockets at Israel for decades, even before the Oct. 7 attacks – it was necessary to “remove the threat clearly and decisively from the other side of the border.” 

“Our goals are clear,” Zamir stated. “The return of the hostages to their homes, the decisive defeat of Hamas, and the dismantling of its regime.” 

He also mentioned a possible new hostage-ceasefire deal, which the U.S. has been working to achieve over the past few weeks, even conducting back-channel discussions with Hamas leaders. 

“If there is an agreement – the IDF will know how to adjust its operations accordingly,” Zamir noted. 

The IDF chief addressed Gaza citizens, telling them, “We are not the ones who brought this destruction upon you. We are not the ones who started this war. We are not the ones who have deprived you of food, shelter, and money. We do not hide in hospitals or schools. We do not live in luxury hotels while you live in hardship. This is your leadership – the ones holding our hostages. Hamas is responsible for starting the war.” 

Concurrent with the increase in operational activity, Israel has also approved the entry of significantly more humanitarian aid trucks into the Gaza Strip. On Tuesday afternoon, the United Nations reported that it had received authorization from Israel to allow 93 additional aid trucks to enter Gaza.

Prior to Monday, no humanitarian aid trucks had entered since March 2, when the previous hostage-ceasefire deal collapsed over a dispute about how to proceed. 

“We have requested and received approval for more trucks to enter today, many more than were approved yesterday,” said Jens Laerke, a spokesperson for the UN humanitarian office. Israel's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) later announced that 93 humanitarian aid trucks had been approved for entry. 

The distribution of aid will be handled by international organizations, such as the UN World Food Programme and the World Central Kitchen. Both groups have been involved in aid distribution throughout the war. 

However, a new aid distribution system is expected to launch within days, based on a joint U.S. and Israeli-led initiative known as the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

GHF will distribute aid in IDF-controlled areas, restricting aid delivery to families in order to minimize Hamas’ ability to seize the aid for itself. 

On Tuesday, Ynet News reported that GHF was already in the country and preparing to begin operations. 

Images on social media showed GHF staff wearing flak-jackets, and some even carrying firearms. Ynet reported that the group consists of “elite combat veterans” and noted that the team is currently undergoing training.

تم تصوير أعضاء الشركة الأمريكية التي ستوزع المساعدات في قطاع غزة خلال إحاطات إعلامية في إسرائيل وهم مسلحون ويرتدون سترات واقية من الرصاص.

خلال ايام يبدا عملهم في غزة pic.twitter.com/Ptp4xpyiq1

— Hanzala (@Hanzpal2) May 19, 2025

Israel has come under intense international criticism over its decision to restrict aid into Gaza, however, after announcing the new system, many countries also criticized that system. 

According to the IDF, GHF is expected to begin operations by the end of the month.