The military said that it had launched several strikes and deployed forces to seize swaths of land in the Gaza Strip to renew its offensive in the enclave.
The Jerusalem Post reported that the IDF, in cooperation with the Shin Bet, struck over 150 terrorist targets in Gaza on Friday.
IDF personnel conduct counterterrorism operations across the Gaza Strip; May 16, 2025. (CREDIT: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
The Air Force has attacked the Gaza Strip 60 times since Friday morning, with a bomb being heard every four minutes, Maariv reported. The IAF also targeted Beit Lahiya and Jabalya in northern Gaza with heavy airstrikes overnight on Thursday.
The Air Force has increased the scope of attacks in the Gaza Strip in recent days and is at an even greater pace than the attacks on the eve of the first maneuver in October 2023.
IDF troops operate in the Gaza Strip. May 9, 2025. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
Palestinian officials have claimed dozens of deaths and injuries from the Friday attacks.
Those neighboring the Gaza border have reported hearing loud explosions on Friday, Walla reported.
The IDF has also reportedly begun to surround the village of Jabalia and the Jabalia refugee camp.
IDF expands war to defeat Hamas
The IDF added that the operation's goals were to release the hostages and to defeat Hamas.
The IDF began operation 'Gideon's Chariots' in Gaza on May 17, 2025. (IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
A security source told The Jerusalem Post previously that "the IDF intends to remain in any area that is conquered to prevent terrorism from returning. It will handle cleansed locations according to the Rafah model, where all threats were eliminated, and it became part of the security zone."
The Post reported that Gideon's Chariots could see the IDF more heavily involved in major urban areas in the Gaza Strip, which is a departure from its usual policy of conducting raids and departing.
The military reportedly postponed the operation until US President Donald Trump left the Middle East after his diplomatic visit to the area.
Amichai Stein, Yonah Jeremy Bob, Seth J. Frantzman, Avi Ashkenazi, and the Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report
