Israel’s New Military Strategy in Gaza: “What Doesn’t Work with Force – Works with More Force”
Strategy Shift Following Operation “Otzma V’Harav”
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have acknowledged that their ongoing military operation, “Otzma V’Harav,” which commenced over a month ago, has not achieved the desired results, particularly in terms of securing the release of hostages. The military’s efforts include the encirclement of Rafah, resulting in extensive destruction and isolating the city from the outside world. To date, the IDF has targeted approximately 1,800 sites and eliminated over 400 militants during initial assaults, but at a significant cost, with four soldiers killed and around twenty injured.
Amidst these developments, the IDF recognizes that its military pressure strategies have been ineffective, aligning more closely with the hardline factions within the government. Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir has stated that he is not ready to step back from aggressive military actions. The IDF is now pivoting towards an intensified combat approach, echoing tactics traditionally taught in armored divisions: “What doesn’t work with force, works with even more force.”
Plans for Reinforcement and Escalation
In the aftermath of Independence Day, the IDF is expected to initiate a large-scale recruitment of hundreds of thousands of reserve soldiers, planning to deploy at least six divisions. The military’s strategy is to escalate their operations, leading to further devastation in areas adjacent to Rafah, effectively turning them into ruins. Streets will be leveled, contributing to a landscape of ash and debris.
This evolving military doctrine implicitly suggests that Israel is deprioritizing the primary objective of rescuing 59 hostages, instead focusing on the dismantling of Hamas both militarily and politically as the central goal. This pivot carries significant implications: it frames a scenario in which Israel faces the long-term consequences of failing to secure the return of its captured citizens, thus leaving the nation grappling with the perception of losing the conflict.
Public Support and International Reactions
There are concerns regarding the potential public backlash against this strategic shift. It remains uncertain how the Israeli populace will respond to military actions that do not promise the immediate liberation of hostages. Moreover, popular support for this extensive combat undertaking may wane as the realities of the military escalation set in.
Simultaneously, signals from Washington indicate a push for humanitarian aid to be restored in Gaza, echoed by former President Donald Trump’s comments requesting Prime Minister Netanyahu to show leniency towards Gazans. These remarks underscore the complex web of international relations that Israel is navigating amidst its military operations.
The Path Forward
As the IDF grapples with these challenges, the military must carefully recalibrate its strategy. The risks associated with the current approach are substantial, and the prospect of becoming entrenched in a protracted conflict raises questions about Israel’s long-term objectives and the viability of securing a peaceful resolution.
As the situation evolves, the IDF faces critical decisions that may significantly alter the future course of operations in Gaza, with the potential to either extricate itself from a challenging quagmire or plunge deeper into an enduring conflict