Explainer: What is Gideon's Chariots plan?
The latest phase of Israel's destruction of Gaza
Israel’s Gideon’s Chariots plan details an expanded ”forceful” offensive in Gaza, approved by Israel’s security cabinet on Sunday, to permanently seize territory and transfer Palestinians to the south of the strip.
Tens of thousands of Israeli military reservists are being called up to carry out the plan.
A “sterile” zone in Rafah will be established, which Palestinians can enter only after passing Israeli inspection.
After blocking all food, water and medical supplies to Gaza for over nine weeks, the US-Israeli plan eventually involves private contractors running aid distribution sites, guarded by the IDF.
One person per family will be allowed to to receive a limited amount of aid per week - to do so they will have to go through Israeli screening.
“It is dangerous, driving civilians into militarized zones to collect rations, threatening lives, including those of humanitarian workers, while further entrenching forced displacement” Statement from aid groups and UN agencies
An occupying power committing war crimes - including forced starvation and transfer of civilians - on a population should not be the one to control aid distribution.
Aid groups and UN agencies have said the plan is unacceptable and “contravenes fundamental humanitarian principles and appears designed to reinforce control over life-sustaining items as a pressure tactic — as part of a military strategy.”
“It is dangerous, driving civilians into militarized zones to collect rations, threatening lives, including those of humanitarian workers, while further entrenching forced displacement”, they added. The groups have refused to participate and also pointed out that Israel is trying to shut down existing aid systems in the strip run by the UN and others.
The IDF’s chief has said the plan puts the hostages at risk, and the hostages’ families have said they are “terrified and shocked by the looming and acknowledged danger”.