What it is about
After over nine months of intense fighting in Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are refining their strategy to better combat Hamas. The focus remains on dismantling smuggling routes and targeting critical infrastructure used by the militant organization.
Why it matters
By disrupting Hamas’s ability to smuggle weapons and funds, the IDF aims to weaken the group’s military capabilities and limit their operational effectiveness. This ongoing effort plays a key role in ensuring the security of Israel’s southern communities and broader regional stability.
The IDF’s objectives to dismantle Hamas’s capabilities
The Southern Command is primarily focused on destroying tunnels, particularly along the Philadelphi Corridor, which are used by Hamas to smuggle money, weapons, and other materials into Gaza. Major General Yaron Finkelman’s office leads these efforts to prevent the resurgence of Hamas’s military forces.
Preventing smuggling and restoration of capabilities
Hamas’s attempts to rebuild its arsenal through various smuggling routes have been a focal concern. The IDF targets the Kerem Shalom crossing, tunnels along the Philadelphi Corridor, maritime routes, and pathways from the Sinai. Ensuring these avenues are shut down is critical to stifling Hamas’s operational capacity.
Intelligence efforts
To further cripple Hamas, the IDF prioritizes intelligence operations aimed at uncovering hidden caches of weapons and manufacturing sites. These include tracking down underground facilities far away from visible detection.
Limiting operational effectiveness
Hamas may not face a personnel shortage but relies on maintaining weaponry and infrastructure. Therefore, IDF operations focus on these high-value targets rather than lower-level operatives.
Re-engagement in critical areas
The IDF has re-engaged in regions previously controlled to disrupt renewed Hamas control. A recent overwhelming airstrike in Khan Yunis showcases the IDF’s robust offensive strategy, supported by artillery and tank fire.
Intelligence-driven maneuvers
The operations in Khan Yunis aimed to dismantle Hamas’s military infrastructure using precise data gathered by the Shin Bet and Military Intelligence. Similar efforts occur across multiple strategic points, ensuring the continuous erosion of Hamas’s reach.
Locating hostages and senior leadership
Special units remain on high alert to locate and rescue hostages while identifying and neutralizing senior Hamas figures. The confirmed death of senior leader Mohammed Deif stands as pivotal progress, even though his body is yet to be discovered.
Exacting a toll on Hamas
Despite opportunistic restocking efforts by Hamas during lulls in IDF operations, the persistent Israeli actions have significantly hampered their capabilities. With soldiers mixing covert and overt operational techniques, Hamas’s ability to operate freely has been notably diminished.
Maintaining pressure in Rafah
Pushing deep into Rafah neighborhoods, Division 162 continues to erode Hamas’s stronghold through sustained ground and aerial operations. These offensive tactics are aimed at dismantling the robust infrastructure Hamas maintains in this area.
Buffer Zone Implementation
The IDF is successfully creating a discernible buffer zone within Gaza along the border, further segregating potential threats and securing Israeli communities.
Success in the Philadelphi Corridor
Continuing efforts in the significant Philadelphi Corridor have led to the discovery and disbursement of smuggling tunnels, drastically reducing Hamas’s logistical and operational support systems.
Military effectiveness and Palestinian movements
Military sources report increased movement of civilians from northern Gaza to more secure southern areas, which is reducing Hamas’s use of human shields in conflict zones, adding another layer of complexity to the militant group’s operations.
Shift in Hamas tactics
Diminished by skilled personnel losses and scarce equipment, Hamas has shifted to guerrilla warfare. Switching to using consumer electronics as surveillance tools and booby-trapping environments signifies desperation and degraded capabilities.
Author & Tags
By Amir Bohbot
Tags: Hamas, IDF, Rafah, Israel-Hamas War, Philadelphi Corridor
This story was first published on jpost.com.