Israeli Military Aims to Take Over 75% of Gaza in Two Months

The Israeli military conduct operations along the northern Gaza Strip border on May 20.Photographer: Mostafa Alkharouf/Anadolu/Getty Images

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By Ian Fisher

May 25, 2025 at 9:40 PM UTC

Updated on

May 26, 2025 at 8:16 AM UTC

Israel aims to take control of 75% of the Gaza Strip and move its 2 million inhabitants into three designated areas as part of a new military offensive in the coastal strip.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the 10-day-old operation, codenamed Gideon’s Chariots, is intended to defeat Hamas and recover hostages held by the Iran-backed group. All of Gaza will eventually be taken over by Israeli forces, Netanyahu has said, without detailing any plans for the day after.