In a dramatic and defiant address delivered Thursday at the IDF’s Tze’elim training base, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued an unequivocal message to Hamas and its backers: “The rules are about to change very soon.”
Speaking before soldiers of the 5th “HaSharon” Infantry Brigade—reservists preparing for combat—Netanyahu praised the troops’ dedication and resilience, asserting that the next phase of Israel’s war against Hamas will be unprecedented in scope and intensity. “I came to see firsthand the quality of our soldiers—our heroes—who are preparing for the intense action we are about to undertake in Gaza,” said Netanyahu. “To Hamas, I say one thing: the rules are about to change.”
Netanyahu reaffirmed the war’s two central objectives:
- The total defeat and elimination of Hamas
- The unconditional return of all hostages held in Gaza
🚨BREAKING: Benjamin Netanyahu: I say one thing to Hamas: The rules are going to change very soon.
— Eli Afriat 🇮🇱🎗 (@EliAfriatISR) May 8, 2025
pic.twitter.com/RULSgRSXGH
Invoking Legacy of Sabena Operation: ‘The Spirit Has Not Changed’
In a poignant moment, Netanyahu recalled his participation in the daring 1972 Sabena Flight 571 hostage rescue operation, in which he served with Israel’s elite Sayeret Matkal commando unit and was wounded in action. “The spirit that guided us then—the determination, unity, and courage—still pulses among our soldiers today,” Netanyahu said. “It is this same spirit that will carry us to victory against Hamas.”
He emphasized that just as Israel defeated Black September terrorists at Lod Airport decades ago, so too will it dismantle the Hamas terror regime today. “That victory reverberated throughout the region—and so will this one.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited a training exercise of the IDF 5th Brigade (reserve) at the Ground Forces Training Center in Tze'elim:
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) May 8, 2025
"To Hamas I say one thing: The rules are about to change very soon — thanks to you soldiers."https://t.co/EvjhSAAq1Z pic.twitter.com/St78G4fTZw
Wider Regional Message: Israel Will Not Be Intimidated
Netanyahu also broadened his message, highlighting Israel’s strategic posture across the Middle East, noting that under his leadership, Israel has relentlessly countered regional threats emanating from:
- Hezbollah in Lebanon
- The Assad regime in Syria
- The Iranian regime, which he called “the chief sponsor of terrorism across the region”
IDF Escalates Pre-Invasion Strikes: Over 150 Targets Hit in 72 Hours
As the rhetoric sharpens, so too does the military campaign. In preparation for “Operation Gideon’s Chariots,” the IDF has struck over 150 terrorist targets across Gaza in the past three days.
These strikes have destroyed:
- Underground tunnels
- Command posts
- Rocket manufacturing facilities
- Safehouses and operational cells
Among those eliminated:
- Muhammad Rasmi Marzouq Barakeh, a key Hamas intelligence officer involved in the abduction of 85-year-old Yaffa Adar during the October 7 terror attacks
- Nasr Sobhi Ibrahim Jumaa, a senior commander in Hamas’s rocket production division, killed in Deir al-Balah
Netanyahu: “Trump hasn’t dropped his Gaza voluntary immigration plan, and we are actively coordinating. It’s realistic, I spoke with him just a few days ago.” pic.twitter.com/JacP0ZTPG7
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) May 8, 2025
The IDF emphasized that extensive precautions were taken to minimize civilian casualties, using precision-guided munitions, surveillance drones, and verified intelligence.
Defense Minister Katz: ‘We Will Not Stop Until Hamas is Destroyed’
In a parallel address to the 162nd “Steel Formation” Armored Division, Defense Minister Israel Katz laid out the full scope of the coming ground campaign. “The operation is intended to defeat Hamas and bring about the release of all the hostages. We will act with great force to destroy all of Hamas’s military and governmental capabilities,” he said.
Katz added that the entire population of Gaza would be evacuated to the southern part of the Strip during the campaign, and that Israeli troops will maintain control of every area they enter. “From the moment the maneuver begins, we will act with great force and will not stop until all objectives are achieved,” Katz concluded.
Next Phase of War Will Redefine the Battlefield
As “Operation Gideon’s Chariots” approaches, Israel is poised to radically shift its battlefield strategy, signaling a turning point in the war. With tens of thousands of troops mobilized, elite units briefed, and Gaza under constant surveillance and pressure, the IDF is preparing for an expansive, multi-front assault aimed at one singular outcome: the collapse of Hamas as a military and political entity.
