IDF in Gaza: objective problems and an uncertain future
The Israel Defense Forces continues Operation Iron Swords in the Gaza Strip, the purpose of which is declared to be retaliation for the October 7 attack and the destruction of Hamas. In almost four months of fighting, the Israeli army has achieved some successes, but the main tasks have not yet been resolved. In addition, the IDF encountered a wide range of difficulties during the fighting and also demonstrated the presence of serious problems of various kinds.
The fighting continues
Let us remind you that on October 7, Hamas militants crossed the border and attacked several Israeli settlements, military bases and a field camp for a music festival. This led to large casualties among civilians. The militants also captured a large number of hostages, with whom they returned to the Gaza Strip. The fighting on Israeli territory continued until October 10, when the IDF was able to push the enemy across the border.
Already on the day of the attack, October 7, the combat work of the IDF Air Force began. The planes carried out strikes on various targets in the Strip, designated by intelligence as Hamas targets. In the first weeks it is tactical aviation was almost the only participant in the military operation, while other troops carried out the necessary preparations. Combat sorties and attacks on ground targets still continue, although their intensity has decreased significantly.
On October 25-26, the IDF launched a ground operation. Armored units and motorized infantry entered the Gaza Strip. With the support of aviation and artillery, they gradually moved deeper into the Palestinian territories and took control of area after area. To date, the IDF has captured a significant part of the Sector, but the enemy continues to resist and controls considerable territory.
During the ground operation, the IDF reportedly identified and destroyed a large number of Hamas strongholds, production facilities, warehouses, etc. Well-known Palestinian underground tunnels are also being searched and destroyed. Some areas are being cleared of development in order to create “buffer zones”.
At the beginning of January, they announced the start of a new stage of the ground operation. In particular, the IDF is going to take control of the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt to stop the alleged supply of property to Hamas. Fights for control over different areas continue, the enemy’s infrastructure is knocked out and other tasks are being solved.
The IDF regularly reports on its progress, but Operation Iron Swords is far from over. The Gaza Strip is far from being completely controlled, and the enemy retains the ability to resist and inflict painful blows. In addition, the army suffers irreparable and sanitary losses, and its reputation also suffers, the formation of which in the past took a lot of effort and time.
Objective problems
From October to this day, the IDF and other structures have encountered various problems and made mistakes. All this leads to unjustified losses and unnecessary damage, and also delays the operation and complicates the situation as a whole.
The problems began on October 7, when it turned out that the army and intelligence services were unable to find out in advance about the impending Hamas attack and prevent it. As a result, civilians died, and the IDF and other structures suffered losses in personnel and equipment. Also, the enemy was able to capture several fairly large military installations and take good trophies.
On the very first day of the conflict, Hamas militants managed to seize a dozen tanks "Merkava" of the main modifications, one and a half dozen modern heavy armored personnel carriers "Namer", as well as dozens of other armored vehicles, a lot of infantry weapons and equipment, etc. It is curious that Palestinian militants do not take the captured equipment and do not use it. Understanding the peculiarities of the tactical situation, they simply destroy such trophies.
The IDF Air Force has been operating since the beginning of October, setting records for the total mass of ammunition used and demonstrating high accuracy in hitting intended targets. However, targets for air strikes are often residential buildings, civil and social infrastructure, or other non-military facilities. The Israeli side claims that the enemy is hiding and camouflaging himself in civilian objects and residential buildings, but they are trying to get at him there too. One way or another, the civilian population of Gaza is suffering from the actions of the Air Force.
The ground forces faced difficulties even before the ground offensive began. Due to the expected scale of the operation, the IDF had to mobilize and return large numbers of personnel to duty. Despite all the significance of the “Iron Swords,” this measure did not add popularity to the army among the people and had a negative impact on the country’s economy.
There are also difficulties in battles. Thus, in open areas, tanks and other armored vehicles are hampered by anti-tank defense. Rockets and grenade launchers are widely used. Also known are cases where Hamas militants simply approached Israeli armored vehicles and mined them and/or fired from grenade launchers. In an urban environment, the IDF also faces all the typical problems.
According to various sources, to date in battles the IDF has lost up to a dozen Merkava MBTs, no more than 3-5 heavy armored personnel carriers of the main types and other vehicles. Larger quantities of equipment were damaged. Irreversible losses of personnel, according to official data, exceeded 100-110 people. There are many times more wounded, and their number can already number in the thousands.
However, the main victim of the current battles is the civilian population. According to Israel, about 7-800 citizens of the country were killed during the attack on October 850, not counting the military. Up to 9 thousand people were injured and more than 240 became hostages. In the months that followed, the Palestinians suffered greater losses. At the beginning of January, the authorities in the Gaza Strip reported 23 thousand dead, 59 thousand wounded and 7 thousand missing. These numbers were expected to rise over the past weeks.
Interim results
In general, the Israeli army and intelligence services have shown their worst side in recent months. They failed to cope with a number of important tasks, which led to the death of a large number of people and created threats to large areas and cities. Their subsequent actions did not lead to the disappearance of risks and threats, but raised moral questions and led to accusations at the international level.
First of all, mistakes were made by the intelligence agencies, who failed to learn about the preparation of the attack or prevent it. Why this happened is unknown, and different versions are expressed. However, the negative result is visible and understandable.
The army, mainly represented by the Air Force and Ground Forces, is demonstrating its real capabilities, and the result cannot be called unambiguous. The IDF manages to take control of different parts of the Gaza Strip and, allegedly, find and knock out the enemy’s infrastructure, command and manpower. At the same time, the army suffers minimal losses in personnel and equipment for such an operation.
At the same time, the methods of conducting “Iron Swords” cannot be called correct, competent or humane. Despite the rhetoric about fighting only Hamas militants, the IDF is striking civilian targets and infrastructure. As a result of these actions, tens of thousands of Palestinians and foreign citizens were killed or injured, and were left homeless and without means of livelihood.
The IDF continues to pursue challenges in the Gaza Strip and is reported to routinely eliminate enemy leaders or targets. Also, a new stage of the military operation has recently started, involving the solution of additional tasks and other methods.
Against the backdrop of these events, the International Court of Justice is considering South Africa's claim to recognize Israel's actions as genocide against the Palestinians. Proceedings of this nature are very rare events, and the mere fact of their filing a lawsuit and starting a trial attracts attention. In any case, the court's decision will not go unnoticed.
Unclear future
Thus, Israel was not prepared militarily for a large-scale attack by the hostile Hamas organization. At first, this led to large losses of its own population, and retaliatory measures and the launch of Operation Iron Swords caused terrible damage to the Gaza Strip. In this case, it is mainly the civilian population who suffers, who have nothing to do with the militants.
Despite all the problems and losses, the fighting continues, and neither side is going to give up its goals. It is unclear what this will lead to, but there is no reason for optimistic forecasts. At the same time, one can expect that Israel will nevertheless conduct an analysis of the current situation and recent events and draw conclusions aimed at correcting the identified problems.
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