The Israeli occupation army has dropped propaganda leaflets over the Al-Birka area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, threatening a ground invasion as part of its recently launched “Gideon’s Chariots” operation, explicitly aimed at occupying the Strip and forcibly displacing its population.
The Al-Birka area, where the leaflets were dropped, has notably not been subject to ground invasion since the start of Israel’s war of extermination on October 7, 2023. It has served as a refuge for thousands of displaced Palestinians over the past several months.
This leaflet campaign follows Israel’s announcement of expanding its genocidal campaign in Gaza, with wide-scale strikes launched as part of its so-called “Gideon’s Chariots” operation.
According to Israel’s state broadcaster on May 5, the Gideon’s Chariots plan aims for the full occupation of Gaza.
The plan, expected to last several months, includes the “complete evacuation of Gaza’s population from combat zones—including northern Gaza—to southern regions,” where the Israeli army will maintain a permanent presence.
The broadcaster reported that no humanitarian plan will be implemented to “separate aid from Hamas” until ground operations begin and wide-scale displacement is complete. Civilian contractors will reportedly operate logistical zones in areas secured by the Israeli army, including a “safe zone” in Rafah (south), behind the Morag Axis (between Rafah and Khan Younis), where incoming individuals will be screened to prevent infiltration by Hamas members.
Over the past five days, Israel has intensified its genocide in Gaza, committing dozens of massacres alongside the regional tour of U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed to promise Gaza’s people a “better future and an end to hunger.”
Israel has maintained a brutal siege on Gaza for 18 years. Today, roughly 1.5 million Palestinians out of the 2.4 million population are homeless due to the destruction of their homes. The Strip faces a severe famine as Israel blocks humanitarian aid from entering through closed crossings.
In early March, the first phase of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal between Hamas and Israel—brokered by Egypt and Qatar and backed by the U.S.—concluded. It began on January 19, 2025, and was fully adhered to by Hamas.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—wanted by the International Criminal Court—reneged on initiating the second phase. Instead, on March 18, he resumed the genocide in Gaza, capitulating to the extremist wing of his far-right coalition to serve his political survival, as reported by Hebrew media.
Backed unconditionally by Washington, Israel has since October 7, 2023, committed acts of genocide in Gaza, resulting in over 173,000 Palestinians killed or injured—mostly women and children—and more than 11,000 missing.
