Changing Gaza Tactics: Understanding Netanyahu's Shift from Full-Scale Invasion to Limitied Strikes
Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has changed his original plan to occupy the entire Gaza Strip, opting for a limited operation focused on Gaza City. This shift comes as the Israeli military engages in active operations to seize full control of Gaza City, with troops currently holding the outskirts and engaging Hamas fighters within the city.
The decision to intensify efforts against Hamas's strongholds, despite international criticism and the risk of massive Palestinian displacement, is a response to ongoing clashes and pressure to swiftly defeat Hamas. The Israeli military leadership initially expressed caution due to the risks to Israeli hostages held by Hamas, but Netanyahu has pushed for a faster, more comprehensive military operation.
However, this escalation has resulted in severe humanitarian consequences in Gaza City, including widespread destruction of residential areas and civilian casualties. The UN has highlighted systematic destruction during the intensified Israeli attacks. Critics warn that this poses grave risks to civilians and may complicate future diplomatic efforts.
Military officials are concerned about potential losses on the ground, such as troops leaving the fight while under attack, which could lower confidence and quickly spread among forces. The Israeli military is under stress due to almost two years of heavy fighting in Gaza, causing damage and a blockade. This has resulted in issues such as a decreased number of reserve soldiers, damaged equipment, and mental stress among troops.
Despite these challenges, military experts believe that the resistance in Gaza still has the power to alter the outcome, even if the plan to focus on Gaza City fails. The Palestinian resistance is showing strength on the ground and is still adamant about finishing the war, making any Israeli attack very difficult.
The army's leaders are uncertain about the success of any large-scale attack or if it will only focus on Gaza City. European countries have threatened to stop sending arms and apply sanctions if Israel continues its military operations in the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu may be using the Gaza City plan more as a political tool to put pressure on Hamas than as a firm promise to go to war.
Analysts suggest that Netanyahu's pattern of announcing new "decisive" military plans after each failed operation may lead to further strategic and political losses for Israel. The Prime Minister's tactics in the ongoing war are seen as backfiring and hurting Israel's image around the world. The change in plan is due to strong resistance from Israel's Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing conflict.
- Despite the Prime Minister's change of plan, focusing on Gaza City rather than occupying the entire Gaza Strip, the Israeli military's operation against Hamas still carries high risks, including massive Palestinian displacement and severe humanitarian consequences, as highlighted by the UN.
- The intensified military efforts, involving possible attacks on Hamas's strongholds, are a response to ongoing clashes and pressure to swiftly defeat Hamas, but they are causing systematic destruction in Gaza City and putting civilians at grave risk.
- In the midst of these operations, the Israeli military faces internal challenges such as potential losses on the ground, decreased number of reserve soldiers, damaged equipment, and mental stress among troops, due to almost two years of heavy fighting in Gaza.
- Analysts warn that Prime Minister Netanyahu's use of military plans as political tools, especially his announcement of new "decisive" plans after each failed operation, may lead to further strategic and political losses for Israel, hurting its image around the world.
