Hebrew media outlet Channel 12 has revealed that an internal classified document within the Israeli occupation army admitted the failure of what is known as Operation “Gideon’s Chariots.” The document explicitly acknowledged: “The objectives of this operation were not achieved, namely subduing Hamas and securing the return of captives.”
According to the same source, “the document confirms that one of the reasons for failure was the incompatibility of the operations with Hamas’s style of combat.”
Earlier in May 2025, Israel’s Security Cabinet (the Cabinet) approved the plan for Operation “Gideon’s Chariots” with the declared goal of achieving a so-called “military and political decision in Gaza.”
At the time, the occupation claimed it would conduct the operation in three organised stages, using five pressure factors against Hamas in an attempt to force it into accepting a prisoner-exchange deal and dismantling its military infrastructure. The Israeli army began by calling up tens of thousands of reserve soldiers.
Unrealised Ambitions: “Full Occupation of Gaza”
According to Israel’s own public broadcasting authority, the ultimate aim of Operation “Gideon’s Chariots” was nothing less than “the full occupation of the Gaza Strip.” Yet the classified document now proves that this goal was far from realised.
On the ground, the occupation forces have been advancing gradually toward Gaza City under the cover of heavy bombardment, destroying residential neighbourhoods and homes and committing massacres against unarmed civilians.
Palestinian Resistance Strikes Back
Meanwhile, the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, announced new operations against the invading Israeli forces, particularly in the Zaytoun neighbourhood southeast of Gaza City.
In a statement released through their official Telegram channel on Sunday, Al-Qassam confirmed that on Saturday they had targeted an Israeli Merkava tank and a D9 military bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell and a Shuwaz explosive device on Street 8 in southwest Zaytoun.
Resistance Operations Expand
At the same time, multiple Hebrew media outlets reported that several Israeli soldiers were injured when a Merkava tank was struck by an anti-tank missile in the Jabalia area of northern Gaza.
The reports added that Palestinian resistance fighters also launched similar anti-tank rockets at an Israeli Hummer vehicle and military bulldozers, forcing the Israeli air force to intervene.
Conclusion
The leaked Israeli military document marks yet another admission of failure in the occupation’s repeated attempts to crush the Palestinian resistance. While Israel seeks “decisive outcomes,” its operations continue to collapse in the face of determined fighters who adapt their tactics, inflict heavy damage, and ensure that Gaza remains unconquered despite relentless aggression.
