From the Liveblog of
Sunday, May 18, 2025
IDF spokesman says 5 divisions now operating in Gaza as Israel moves to ‘new stage’ of war
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
IDF spokesman, Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, in a press statement from the Gaza border, says five divisions are now operating inside the Strip in the new offensive aimed at defeating Hamas.
“We are moving to a new stage in the fighting. During the operation, we will increase and expand our operational control in the Gaza Strip, while bisecting the Strip and moving the population for its safety, in all the areas where we will operate,” he says.
Defrin says the IDF has implemented lessons learned from the fighting in Gaza thus far.
“Unlike previously, we are now concentrating on offensive effort in the Gaza Strip, and carrying out an offensive until the defeat [of Hamas] in the areas we will operate,” he says.
The Times of Israel Community.