(250517) -- JERUSALEM, May 17, 2025 (Xinhua) -- This photo released on May 16, 2025 shows Israeli troops operating in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military said on Friday it had stepped up its operations in the Gaza Strip, launching a wave of airstrikes and deploying additional ground forces in an effort to establish operational control in parts of the enclave.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the intensified assault marked the start of a new operation codenamed "Gideon's Chariots," which aims to expand the scope of fighting and advance key war objectives, including the release of hostages and the dismantling of Hamas. (Israel Defense Forces/Handout via Xinhua)
