Global outcry against 'Israel’s' plan “Gideon’s Chariots” to occupy Gaza

On May 5, 2025, 'Israel’s' Security Cabinet unanimously approved a new military strategy for the Gaza Strip, titled “Gideon’s Chariots” (Merkavot Gideon), sparking widespread international outrage.

Described by critics as a blueprint for permanent occupation, mass displacement, and intensified violence against Gaza’s besieged Palestinian population, the plan marks a dangerous escalation in 'Israel’s' ongoing genocide, which has already displaced nearly 2.4 million people since October 7, 2023.

As global leaders, humanitarian organizations, and regional powers condemn the move, fears grow of an impending humanitarian catastrophe and regional destabilization.

The “Gideon’s Chariots” plan: Occupation, displacement

The “Gideon’s Chariots” strategy formalizes 'Israel’s' intent to seize and hold Gaza indefinitely. According to 'Israeli' officials, the plan involves overwhelming military force by land, sea, and air, using heavy machinery to demolish infrastructure deemed a threat.

Unlike past offensives, 'Israeli' forces will not withdraw but will remain in captured areas, transforming swathes of Gaza into an expanded “sanitized” security belt or buffer zone. Areas cleared will follow the “Rafah model,” where civilian neighborhoods are razed and incorporated into 'Israeli'-controlled zones, signaling a slow annexation under the guise of security.

A central pillar of the plan is the forced displacement of Palestinians, particularly from northern Gaza. While 'Israeli' officials frame this as “voluntary relocation,” the scale and intent suggest ethnic cleansing, a violation of international law. Civilians will be herded south into tightly controlled zones under 'Israeli' surveillance, with humanitarian aid—already restricted to famine-inducing levels—weaponized.

Aid deliveries will resume only after military operations begin and displacement is complete, distributed solely through 'Israeli'-approved contractors in secured, screened areas. Rights groups condemn this as coercion and the use of aid as a weapon of war.

'Israel' has issued an ultimatum, giving Hamas until the end of US President Donald Trump’s Middle East trip—approximately May 16, 2025—to accept an ambiguous deal, or face the full force of “Gideon’s Chariots.”

This demand comes despite Hamas’s prior acceptance of a comprehensive ceasefire plan for the release of all 'Israeli' captives in exchange for ending the war, raising questions about 'Israel’s' true objectives. While framed as a mission to dismantle Hamas and retrieve captives, the plan’s scope suggests a broader agenda of collective punishment and permanent occupation.

Symbolism, propaganda

The name “Gideon’s Chariots” carries heavy biblical and militaristic symbolism. In Hebrew tradition, Gideon was a warrior who annihilated the Midianites, an ancient Arab people, casting the operation as a modern crusade of divine vengeance.

“Merkavot” (chariots) evokes both mythic war instruments and 'Israel’s' Merkava tanks, which have long devastated Gaza and the West Bank. This fusion of theological myth and mechanized warfare frames the campaign as a holy war waged with tools of mass destruction.

'Israeli' media reports reveal a chilling mindset behind the plan’s rhetoric. During cabinet discussions, one minister reportedly suggested naming the operation “Let me die with the Philistines,” referencing Gaza’s ancient inhabitants tied to Palestinians.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed it, stating, “No. We don’t want to die with them. We want them to die alone.” This exchange, blending flippant banter with genocidal intent, underscores a policy where state-sanctioned violence is cloaked in scripture and sarcasm.

International, regional backlash

The plan has drawn fierce global condemnation. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called it “unacceptable,” accusing 'Israel' of violating international humanitarian law and urging an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted aid access.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian expressed “deep concern,” opposing 'Israel’s' ongoing operations. The European Union, through spokesperson Anouar El-Anouni, demanded 'Israel' reverse the plan, warning of increased Palestinian suffering and calling for the lifting of Gaza’s siege of over two months to restore electricity and basic services.

Regional powers have also reacted strongly. Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia condemned the plan as a violation of international law and a January 2025 ceasefire agreement, warning of regional instability. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iran have joined Arab states in rejecting Palestinian displacement or annexation, with Egypt reportedly bolstering its military presence in Sinai.

Hamas denounced the plan as a pretext for land seizure and ethnic cleansing, accusing 'Israel' of using aid as a cover for occupation.

Humanitarian, legal concerns

The United Nations and relief organizations warn of a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where famine looms after prolonged aid blockages. A UN statement on April 30, 2025, described conditions as “beyond imagination,” with 1.5 million residents homeless.

Legal scholars argue that the plan’s explicit intent for permanent occupation and forced displacement could constitute “crimes of aggression” or “war crimes,” potentially strengthening cases at the International Criminal Court, which issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and others in 2024.

Families of 'Israeli' captives, ostensibly the plan’s focus, have expressed outrage. Many accuse Netanyahu of prioritizing military victory over their loved ones’ release, especially given Hamas’s ceasefire offer.