IDF intensifies air, ground operations in and around Gaza Strip, monitoring Khan Yunis

Israeli intelligence officials are closely monitoring activity around the European Hospital in Khan Yunis to determine whether Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip, Mohammad Sinwar, has been killed.

They are also investigating whether Rafah Brigade Commander Muhammad Shabana and the spokesperson for Hamas’s military wing, Abu Ubaida, were eliminated along with him.

The IDF is also preparing for the next phase: an intense and large-scale maneuver across multiple fronts.

"We will not stop - until we return the hostages and dismantle Hamas's rule of terror," IDF Arabic Spokesperson Col. Avichay Adraee said, confirming the IDF's new intensified operations.

#عاجل من قلب منطقة رفح وعلى مشارف خانيونس نكثف القصف والضغط على حماس. نمارس الضغوط الهائلة على حماس– من الشمال إلى الجنوب، من تحت الأرض ومن فوقها – وحتى خارج القطاع.وكما هو الحال في محور موراج، هكذا سيبدو كل مكان تستغله حماس لأغراض إرهابية.لن نتوقف – حتى نُعيد المخطوفين،… pic.twitter.com/UfeeWGXpwt

— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) May 17, 2025

'Hamas delegation in Doha declared to return to negotiations for hostage deal'

Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Saturday that “with the launch of Operation ‘Gideon’s Chariots’ in Gaza, the Hamas delegation in Doha declared a return to negotiations for a hostage deal – contrary to their previously adamant refusal.”

The establishment of headquarters for the maneuvering divisions was completed last night, and advanced stages of operational planning were approved, involving coordinated air and naval forces. Military sources said the plans include deception tactics and a very broad scope of firepower. Division commanders are awaiting orders from the General Staff, which in turn is waiting for a decision from the political echelon to begin a formal battle procedure.

Yesterday, the IDF began moving civilians from Beit Lahia in northern Gaza to the southern part of the Strip through leaflet distribution and targeted strikes on terror infrastructure in the area. In the coming days, additional population relocations southward are expected from other focal points.

The IDF is operating in several areas across Gaza to establish shelter zones and humanitarian aid centers where food packages will be distributed to Palestinian families. “These are pre-selected zones that have undergone engineering operations to clear out infrastructure and create open, smooth, and controlled spaces,” said a military source. “Electric infrastructure and communications systems have been installed. Security screening sites will be set up there, and Palestinians will soon begin arriving. The Chief of Staff visited the area to personally oversee the preparations.”

Walla! News has learned that the United Arab Emirates, in coordination with the Israeli Ministry of Defense, funded the deployment of water pipelines from Israel into Gaza, reaching the aid centers. “Once Palestinians realize food and water are being distributed in an orderly manner and in a secure area, they will go there,” said security sources. “This action strips Hamas leadership of their most important asset since the beginning of the war – control over humanitarian aid and, consequently, over the Palestinian street. Once this occurs, it will change the rules of the game. Pressure on the Hamas leadership will increase.”

The IDF’s operations in Gaza are divided into several efforts: securing buffer zones inside Palestinian territory and rear-area defense to protect the border fence from attacks. “The locations the IDF has positioned itself in will enable forces to launch the major maneuver. It’s already clear we’ll reach areas we haven’t been in until now,” said field officers, adding that each day the IDF increases its control over Palestinian territory. This includes engineering work, road construction, aid center development, and supporting infrastructure.

According to military sources, the IDF could take control of all of Rafah within a week, cutting it off from Khan Yunis, seize large parts of northern Gaza, move its population southward, and prepare for a very large-scale maneuver.

On Sunday at 4:00 p.m., the political echelon will convene to decide: whether to allow more time to advance hostage negotiations or to proceed with the large-scale maneuver under fire. Defense Minister Israel Katz has instructed the General Staff that every point the IDF reaches in the ground maneuver must be conquered, cleared, secured, and fortified, so that over time, the territory where Hamas is active will shrink dramatically. According to senior defense officials, the IDF’s plans are expected to break the Hamas leadership.