 confirmed that the detonations were part of a targeted campaign to destroy key Hamas infrastructure within the besieged enclave){kind=link}
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An unusually high number of powerful explosions rocked the Gaza Strip on Monday, sending shockwaves that were felt as far away as central Israel, Jerusalem, and the Negev.
The blasts, which caused windows to rattle and residents to report loud booms across wide areas, were the result of a new Israeli military tactic being deployed in Operation “Gideon’s Chariots.”
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that the detonations were part of a targeted campaign to destroy key Hamas infrastructure within the besieged enclave.
In a strategy shift aimed at minimizing troop casualties, the IDF has begun using old armored personnel carriers (APCs) packed with several tons of explosives, which are then remotely driven into target areas and detonated.
Known internally as “suicide APCs,” the vehicles are repurposed for high-impact demolition tasks. Security sources revealed that each APC carries an explosive payload large enough to level multi-story buildings, generate intense shockwaves, and destabilize underground tunnel systems used by Hamas fighters.
“The tactic is designed to eliminate threats from a safe distance,” a military official told The Jerusalem Post.
“After the tragic loss of an APC from the Golani Brigade in Shejaia, we revised our operational approach to reduce risk to our troops. These unmanned APCs allow us to maintain momentum while preserving lives.”
The scale of Monday’s explosions, described by residents across central Israel as “earth-shaking,” was particularly intense. In Tel Aviv, Rehovot, and even parts of Jerusalem, civilians reported that their homes shook from the force of the blasts.
“My windows rattled as if there was an earthquake,” said Orna Levi, a resident of Rishon Lezion. “At first I thought it was an airstrike nearby, but then I found out it came from Gaza. It’s unbelievable that something happening so far away could feel so close.”
The IDF’s use of “suicide APCs” appears to be part of a broader intensification of Operation “Gideon’s Chariots,” which resumed on May 17 with the stated goal of clearing Hamas from Gaza and securing the return of Israeli hostages.
The operation has seen renewed combat in northern and central Gaza, with heavy airstrikes and ground incursions targeting Hamas strongholds.
Military analysts say the tactic reflects a growing emphasis on remote and automated warfare in urban environments.
“Urban combat in Gaza presents enormous risks, especially with the dense population and extensive tunnel networks,” said Lt. Col. (res.) Amos Harel, a defense analyst. “Using remotely-operated explosives allows for a degree of precision and safety that wasn’t possible in earlier phases of the war.”
Despite the effectiveness of the tactic, humanitarian organizations have expressed concern over the scale of destruction and the impact on civilian areas. The IDF maintains that targets are carefully selected and that civilians are given warnings when possible.
As Operation “Gideon’s Chariots” continues, Israeli citizens may continue to experience the physical reverberations of combat happening miles away—another reminder of how close the front lines have drawn to home.