Israel declares it will control the entire Gaza Strip

RT reported on May 19 that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) began a large-scale ground offensive in Operation Gideon's Chariots on May 18, entering both the northern and southern parts of the Gaza Strip. Israel said that the operation was focused on defeating Hamas forces and rescuing the remaining hostages.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo: Getty.

In a video posted on his Telegram channel on May 19, Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke about the blockade that has prevented humanitarian aid from entering Gaza for months. He said a new mechanism has been put in place to distribute food and medicine through designated locations under Israeli control.

According to Prime Minister Netanyahu, the country's battle and victory plan includes " military pressure, a massive offensive to actually take over the entire Gaza Strip", as well as efforts to "cut off any possibility of Hamas exploiting humanitarian aid".

On May 18, Prime Minister Netanyahu's office said Israel would ease the blockade to allow limited food shipments into Gaza. The new distribution system will take time to set up, Netanyahu said. "We will set up the first points in the next few days and add more later," Netanyahu said.

Israel has begun a large-scale ground offensive in Gaza. Photo: IDF.

In recent weeks, international aid groups have repeatedly warned of the risk of famine in Gaza as Israel has stepped up air strikes.

Palestinian health officials said more than 300 people, including children, had been killed in the 72 hours to the morning of May 19. Israel blamed Hamas for the civilian casualties, citing the group’s use of densely populated areas for military operations.

Hamas said on May 19 that the IDF had fired hundreds of artillery shells, rockets and high-explosive bombs into residential areas in Gaza every day. Meanwhile, the IDF claimed to have struck 160 “terrorist targets” in the past 24 hours.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stressed that the war will continue until Hamas is defeated.

>>> Readers are invited to watch more videos: Israel launches large-scale attack on Gaza