By: Fern Sidman

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Wednesday released a detailed summary of Operation Gideon’s Chariots, asserting that its forces have achieved operational control over approximately 75% of the Gaza Strip. The military’s assessment marks one of the most consequential updates since the outset of the campaign, indicating not only the degradation of Hamas’ fighting capacity but also the establishment of conditions for the next phase of Israel’s war effort.

According to the IDF statement, reviewed extensively by Israel National News (INN), the sweeping advance has enabled Israel to dismantle major components of Hamas’ infrastructure, sever key operational linkages, and strike at the heart of the terror group’s command hierarchy. By coupling ground maneuvers with intensive air and naval campaigns, the IDF has sought to both paralyze Hamas’ military capability and deny the group the operational depth it once enjoyed.

Central to the IDF’s success has been the establishment of two pivotal operational corridors. The first, dubbed the “Morag Corridor”, effectively bisects Hamas’ Rafah and Khan Yunis Brigades, cutting off southern cells from reinforcement and logistical support. The second, known as the “Magen Oz Corridor”, slices through the Khan Yunis Brigade from east to west, further splintering Hamas’ command and operational cohesion.

The INN report noted that the creation of these corridors represents more than geographic domination: it is a strategic maneuver aimed at suffocating Hamas’ ability to maneuver across the Strip. By sealing divisions between brigades, the IDF has imposed what military analysts describe as “operational quarantine zones,” where Hamas cells find themselves trapped, disoriented, and increasingly incapable of coordination.

The scale of Israel’s strike campaign is also unprecedented. Since March 18, approximately 10,000 terror targets have been neutralized by hundreds of fighter jets, surveillance aircraft, and naval platforms. The integration of the Israeli Air Force and Navy has produced a relentless tempo of operations designed to deny Hamas respite, according to the report at INN.

One of the most significant blows came on May 13, when a joint IDF–Israel Security Agency (ISA) operation in Khan Yunis eliminated several of Hamas’ most senior military figures. Those killed included Mohammad Sinwar, the brother of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and head of the organization’s military wing; Mohammad Shabaneh, commander of the Rafah Brigade; and Mahdi Quara, commander of the South Khan Yunis Battalion.

The INN report emphasized that the targeted elimination of these commanders represented a major disruption to Hamas’ chain of command. For a movement that relies heavily on centralized leadership and compartmentalized brigades, the decapitation of senior figures at this scale is a devastating setback.

Beyond these high-profile eliminations, the IDF has systematically dismantled Hamas’ broader command infrastructure. According to the summary published by the military, other key figures eliminated include commanders within Hamas’ General Security Apparatus, six senior officers in its elite naval commando unit, dozens of operatives who infiltrated Israel during the October 7 massacre, and hundreds of additional terrorist fighters.

By steadily hollowing out both the rank-and-file and the mid-level command strata, Israel is seeking to erode Hamas’ ability to regenerate forces or launch coordinated counterattacks. INN noted that this deliberate attrition strategy has not only reduced Hamas’ fighting strength but has also produced a climate of fear and demoralization among remaining operatives.

The on-the-ground advance has been conducted with the coordination of five major IDF divisions: the 162nd, 143rd, 98th, 252nd, and 36th, with the 99th Division providing auxiliary support. Operating simultaneously, these divisions have cleared urban strongholds, dismantled fortified positions, and conducted search-and-destroy missions targeting terror tunnels and weapons caches.

Troops located and dismantled dozens of underground passages—long a cornerstone of Hamas’ asymmetric strategy—while blocking escape routes for fighters attempting to flee IDF encirclements. In multiple instances, Hamas cells were cornered and eliminated, with senior commanders among the dead.

As the INN report observed, the IDF’s simultaneous use of multiple divisions underscores the scale and complexity of the operation. By employing such a broad force structure, Israel has been able to maintain momentum across multiple fronts, leaving Hamas with little room to regroup or adapt.

The IDF summary makes clear that Hamas has been significantly degraded both operationally and psychologically. The loss of territorial depth, the collapse of brigade-level command structures, and the destruction of supply and communications networks have combined to erode the group’s combat effectiveness.

In particular, INN reported that the dismantling of terror tunnels has stripped Hamas of one of its most prized tactical assets. For years, these subterranean passageways allowed fighters to move undetected, launch surprise attacks, and smuggle weapons. Their systematic destruction represents a profound loss for the organization.

The IDF declared that the achievements of Operation Gideon’s Chariots are not merely ends in themselves but the foundation for the next stage of military operations. With three-quarters of the Gaza Strip now under operational control, the military believes it can exert sustained and increasing pressure on the remnants of Hamas forces.

According to the information provided in the INN report, IDF officials stressed that the degradation of Hamas’ combat and command abilities has created an unprecedented opportunity to deliver further strategic blows. While the military did not elaborate publicly on the contours of the next phase, analysts suggest it will likely involve consolidating territorial control, intensifying efforts to locate remaining high-value targets, and preparing conditions for eventual post-conflict governance.

The success of Operation Gideon’s Chariots, as detailed by the IDF, carries broader implications for Israel’s regional strategy. The weakening of Hamas diminishes the ability of Iran’s regional proxy network to exert pressure on Israel’s southern front, even as Hezbollah continues to pose a threat from the north.

Furthermore, as the INN report highlighted, the demonstration of Israeli military dominance serves both as a deterrent to regional adversaries and as a message to international partners. It signals that Israel is determined not merely to retaliate for October 7 but to fundamentally reshape the balance of power in Gaza.

The IDF’s declaration of operational control over 75% of the Gaza Strip represents one of the most significant milestones of the war. Through the establishment of strategic corridors, the systematic targeting of Hamas leadership, and the coordinated advance of multiple divisions, Israel has achieved what the INN report described as “a decisive erosion of Hamas’ military and command infrastructure.”

Operation Gideon’s Chariots has not only crippled Hamas’ ability to fight but also set the stage for future phases of Israeli operations. While challenges remain, the operation underscores Israel’s determination to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza and ensure that the atrocities of October 7 can never be repeated.