Tensions between Israel and Hamas are escalating, and unpredictable uncertainties lurk in the smoke of the war. On 7 October, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, which deeply wounded its pride. In order to get rid of the threat of Hamas once and for all, Israel has had to take tougher action.
First, they have the advantage, but they are in a predicament.
After nearly two months of fighting, the Israeli army had a clear advantage, but found it difficult to defeat Hamas once and for all. Although the Israeli air force bombed around the clock, destroying a large number of buildings, it also caused more than 10,000 civilians**, triggering strong condemnation from the international community.
Despite the Israeli army's success in destroying numerous tunnels, strongholds and command centers, Hamas militants have been able to carry out sneak attacks and counterattacks. In particular, the Israeli army seems to be caught in a dilemma with the partition and blockade of northern Gaza. Even plans that had previously threatened to surround Hamas leader Sinwar have been put on hold.
In the process, the IDF's ** is also getting worse. According to statistics, 79 officers were killed in ground battles alone, leaving the entire army devastated. This makes people wonder whether the Israeli army, which was once known as the "little bully of the Middle East," still maintains its former invincibility.
Second, in asymmetric warfare, it is difficult for Israel to give full play to its advantages.
It has been argued that Israel's failure to win quickly was due to the fact that they did not dare to completely unleash their hands for the safety of civilians. This argument holds some point, but it is not a comprehensive explanation. According to the Israeli military's strategy, many civilians in northern Gaza have been evacuated, and the two sides are effectively locked in direct military confrontation in some areas. However, when it comes to fighting on the ground, the Israeli army has not performed as well as it should.
When infantry, tanks, armored vehicles and bulldozers entered the ground war, the Israeli army was plunged into an unfamiliar environment. Without the powerful cover of the Air Force, the field of view is restricted, and there is a risk of being attacked by RPGs or bullets on all sides.
Drones drop grenades in the sky, while improvised devices or mines may be buried underground. Every step is full of thrills and dangers. Some Israeli soldiers were unable to withstand the tremendous psychological pressure and even suffered emotional breakdowns.
In stark contrast to this is the resistance of Hamas. They showed great determination, and many were ready to give their lives for the cause, skillfully using tunnels and favorable terrain to carry out raids. They have both stealth attack skills and the ability to fight with cold weapons and firepower. This is clearly no longer the traditional image of Hamas in the past.
In the ground battle in Gaza, the Israeli army has fallen into a military gap closer to Hamas. Although the strength of the Israeli army still crushes the opponent, the cost is also obvious.
Third, changes have suddenly emerged, and Israel has moved south to start the war again.
After a brief ceasefire, the two sides were again at war. However, it is surprising that the Israeli army has withdrawn a large number of troops from northern Gaza and shifted the focus of its attack to the south. This was an unexpected action, so why did the troops withdraw before the fighting in the north was over?
Perhaps, after a reassessment, the Israeli military has found that the north has become worthless. During the ceasefire, Hamas laid a large number of traps, mines and installations in the north, and it was extremely risky to rush troops to clean up.
In addition, Hamas is well aware that the north is a dead end, and as long as the Israeli army attacks again, it is doomed to lose. As a result, Hamas's main forces may have retreated unnoticed, leaving only a small number of death squads to contain and harass Israeli forces in the north.
In order to minimize their own **, the Israeli army adjusted its strategy and moved south. According to the United States, Israel is assembling a massive pumping system to flood Gaza's vast network of underground tunnels with seawater.
However, the situation in southern Gaza is more complicated, with a large number of refugees gathered. Whether Israel will be able to achieve the results it hopes will be a question of concern. In this escalating conflict, Israel faces challenges from many fronts. Both Hamas's covert tactics and the international community's condemnation of Israel's actions have forced Israel to survive in the cracks. The future will be uncertain, the situation will be unpredictable, and both sides will be doing their best for their own interests. This may be just one point in the conflict, and a long-term solution to the conflict still requires in-depth consultations between the parties to find a balance and avoid more innocent sacrifices.