On 4 May 2025, Israel's security cabinet approved a plan to expand its military offensive in the Gaza Strip. Codenamed Operation Gideon's Chariots, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) aim to defeat Hamas, destroy its military and governing capabilities, and take control over three quarters of the Gaza Strip. The operation involves combined military force from land, air, and sea. On 16 May, Israel announced the launch of the operation. As of 4 July, the Israeli military controls approximately 65% of the Gaza Strip, most of which was captured during this offensive. The United Nations Human Rights Office condemned the offensive as tantamount to ethnic cleansing.
A harrowing attack in southern Gaza claimed the life of Master Sgt. Abraham Azulay, 25, an Israeli combat-engineering reservist, as..