Day 670 - Inside the final 25% of Gaza the IDF doesn't control

19 snips

Aug 6, 2025

Emanuel Fabian, a military reporter, brings valuable insights into the ongoing conflict in Gaza. He discusses Prime Minister Netanyahu's potential shift towards complete territorial control and the IDF’s current dominance over 75% of the area. The challenges around humanitarian aid distribution take center stage, with alarming reports of looting overshadowing efforts. Fabian also highlights the debut of the Hasmonean Brigade, a new ultra-Orthodox unit aiming to integrate religious soldiers into the IDF.

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INSIGHT

Meaning of Gaza Control

Israel controls 75% of Gaza Strip without civilians present in those areas.
Controlling 100% means military occupation including governance over 2 million Palestinians there.

INSIGHT

Gideon's Chariot Outcomes

Gideon's Chariot operation secured 75% of Gaza but did not move civilians south.
None of the operation's goals like defeating Hamas or preventing aid misuse were fully achieved.

INSIGHT

Hamas Fighters' Current Status

Hamas has about 20,000 operatives hiding in civilian areas of Gaza still intact.
Israeli troops avoid these areas to reduce risk to hostages and civilians.

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Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world.

Military reporter Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

According to leaked reports, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will likely declare a new war goal of conquering the entire Gaza Strip. Following the three-month-long Gideon's Chariots operation, Israel currently has operational control of 75 percent of the Strip. Fabian delves into the operation and gives a picture of whether it met its goals of conquering Gaza and retaining the territory; moving the Palestinian civilian population toward the south of the Strip; targeting Hamas; and preventing the terror group from taking control of humanitarian aid supplies.

We discuss the stepped-up humanitarian aid efforts and Fabian offers insight into what happens once it reaches the Strip, citing a new UN report that states that almost nine out of every 10 UN trucks that entered Gaza with humanitarian aid over the last several months were looted — either by hungry Gazans or by armed groups. We get updates on how much aid is still standing at the Kerem Shalom crossing and how effective airdrops are.

Finally, we learn about the IDF’s new Haredi brigade, known as the Hasmonean Brigade. After completing seven months of basic and advanced training, the first company of troops from the Hasmonean Brigade received their navy berets today. What is this new ultra-Orthodox company and how could it impact the 80,000 Haredi youth who are eligible for conscription?

Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.

For further reading:

After war meet, Netanyahu said to favor complete conquest of Gaza even if hostages harmed

Operation ‘Gideon’s Chariots’ comes to a close, with promised goals unfulfilled

Almost 9 in 10 aid trucks looted before reaching Gaza destinations, UN figures show

Aiming to boost aid, Israel to allow gradual flow of goods to Gaza’s private sector

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.

IMAGE: Palestinians carry personal belongings in the Mawasi area of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on July 28, 2025. (AFP)

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