- Israeli soldiers filmed themselves detonating a building in Gaza as part of a “gender reveal,” as blue smoke signalled “It’s a boy,” amid laughter and circulating video footage.
- The incident coincides with Israel’s newly approved military plan to seize full control of Gaza and potentially displace hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.
Israeli soldiers recently filmed themselves staging a “gender reveal party” by detonating a building in Gaza, using explosives that released blue smoke to signal the birth of a baby boy.
“It’s a boy!” the soldiers can be heard exclaiming in a video circulating on social media, followed by laughter as the structure erupts—sending clouds of blue and grey smoke into the air.
This chilling act coincides with the Israeli government’s newly approved strategy to seize full control of the Gaza Strip and maintain a prolonged military presence in the territory, according to the Associated Press, citing two Israeli officials.
The officials indicated that if implemented, the plan would significantly expand Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, likely drawing intense international criticism. The Israeli Cabinet approved the strategy in a vote held early Monday morning, just hours after the military’s top commander announced the call-up of tens of thousands of reservists.
Since the collapse of a ceasefire with Hamas in mid-March, Israel has escalated its military operations, launching widespread strikes that have resulted in scores of casualties. Israeli forces currently control about half of the Gaza Strip.
Before the truce ended, Israel had already halted all humanitarian aid—cutting off food, fuel, and water supplies—sparking what has been described as the worst humanitarian crisis in the nearly 19-month conflict.
The newly outlined strategy includes the relocation of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to the southern part of the territory—an action that, if enforced, could amount to forced displacement and further exacerbate the dire humanitarian conditions.
A third source, identified as a defence official said that the plan will likely not be executed until after U.S. President Donald Trump’s expected visit to the Middle East later this month.
