Israel Planning Military Action in Gaza City: Potential Consequences and Financial Implications
In a strategic move, Israel has mobilized 60,000 reservists and significant military units for Operation "Gideon's Chariots B" in Gaza City. The operation, which has been approved by Israel's security cabinet, aims to seize control of Gaza City and destroy Hamas's military capabilities.
Troops from the Givati Brigade are currently operating in the area of Jabaliya in the northern Gaza Strip, with Israeli tanks and troops maneuvering closer to Gaza City's outskirts in preparation for a full-scale offensive. The IDF's approach to the operation will be slow, very careful, and costly, as highlighted by military officials.
The battle for Fallujah in Iraq, which took two weeks to clear, is being used as a point of comparison for the scale of Operation "Gideon's Chariots". John Spencer, chair of urban warfare studies, states that the scale of this operation is unprecedented and it will be a bigger challenge than anything the IDF has faced.
However, the operation is not without its challenges. Shamni, a military official, has highlighted the dilemma of evacuating civilians during the operation, as it is unclear who will leave, how many will leave, and whether Hamas will allow them to leave. There is a possibility that more IDF brigades will be brought in during the operation, and Shamni warns that Hamas may relocate hostages into combat zones to deter strikes.
Efrat Lachter, an investigative reporter and war correspondent who has worked in 40 countries and is a recipient of the 2024 Knight-Wallace Fellowship for Journalism, notes that Israel plans to send more combat power into Gaza City than it has deployed across the entire Strip thus far.
The weather, with winter not arriving until January, is on Israel's side. The IDF has gained enormous experience over the past two years and will use those tactics in this battle, including the use of drones, robots, and specialized units for tunnel warfare.
Spencer forecasts a protracted operation, potentially lasting for months. He calls the decision to press forward a "calculated risk", as the dual goals of defeating Hamas and returning hostages are contradictory, risking years of drawn-out fighting. Shamni warns that this risk is real, and the operation may result in the death of some of the hostages held in Gaza City.
The operation's heart is Gaza City, the densest location in Gaza and the heart of Hamas's stronghold. Hamas has built a tunnel network that allows commanders, fighters, and hostages to conceal themselves, making the operation even more challenging.
As the operation unfolds, the world watches with bated breath, hoping for a swift and successful resolution. The stakes are high, and the risks are considerable, but the IDF is prepared to face the challenges head-on.
