As Israel ramps up its attacks on Gaza and mobilizes forces along the border, it is clear that their objective is to decimate Hamas. The Israeli military’s precise plan to accomplish this remains unknown. However, by ordering nearly half of Gaza’s population to evacuate or risk death, speculation arises that a ground invasion may target northern Gaza. But it could all be a deception. Regardless, any ground invasion would involve overwhelming force from the Middle East’s most powerful military, seeking to eliminate an entrenched enemy that launched a sophisticated cross-border raid resulting in the deaths of 1,300 Israelis. The Israeli death toll and the atrocities committed by invading Hamas commandos have shocked the nation, with some officials drawing comparisons to the Holocaust.
The retaliatory Israeli air strikes, resulting in the deaths of at least 1,800 Palestinians, mark the beginning of what is expected to be a long campaign. Eitan Shamir, a former Ministry of Strategic Affairs official, describes the current phase as a softening bombardment. However, if a full-scale ground invasion indeed occurs, it is predicted to be swift and formidable, with forces entering from multiple directions. The initial target may be Gaza City, the largest population center and the hub of Hamas’s political and military infrastructure.
Israel has mobilized an unprecedented number of reservists, bringing its military strength to over half a million soldiers. The country is receiving regular shipments of US weapons, fortifying its Iron Dome air defense system and replenishing munition stocks. Reservists are receiving training and weapons, while armor is being repositioned. The goal is ambitious, focused on destroying Hamas entirely and replacing it with a different governance structure, as stated by retired general Amos Yadlin.
Hamas’s response to Israel’s offensive will shape the military strategy employed. Many fighters may attempt to blend in with fleeing civilians, but this works in Israel’s favor. They can establish forward bases, move equipment closer to the frontline, and eliminate Hamas’s underground infrastructure. The network of tunnels built by Hamas poses a significant challenge, but Israel aims to destroy it without necessarily having to enter. The tunnels could potentially become a death trap for Hamas fighters.
The exact details of the Israeli offensive remain uncertain, but analysts are convinced that it will happen within days. International agencies are urging Israel to extend its evacuation deadline to allow civilians more time to prepare. Despite the challenges posed by fuel shortages, destroyed roads, and widespread panic, hundreds of thousands of people are currently on the move. The situation has prompted comparisons to the displacement experienced by Palestinians in 1948 during the creation of the Jewish state.
The spokesperson for the Israeli military has stated that this round of violence between Israel and Hamas will be unlike anything seen before. When it concludes, Gaza will be drastically changed.
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