The IDF's ground operation achieves its objectives. The enemy's first line of defense in the Gaza Strip was broken.
In the northern Gaza Strip, one can feel very well the "Israeli army's belts of fire," the name given in the Arab media to the massive air force attacks and artillery bombardment, which preceded the ground forces and accompanied them in their movement.
The ground maneuver in the Gaza Strip, photo: IDF Spokesperson
In the battles of contact with Hamas terrorists emerging from tunnels, mosques and hiding places prepared for this purpose in advance, our soldiers have the upper hand. The fighting is not easy. The enemy operates in accordance with the concept it formulated for warfare in built-up areas, based on the network of tunnels, traps, ambushes and the use of anti-tank weapons.
As much as we can get an impression of the general picture that is revealed to us, the conduct of our forces conveys professionalism and a sober view of the challenges on the battlefield. The IDF quickly recovered from the October 7 surprise. Its commanders and soldiers fight fiercely, show daring and are determined to decide. Strike to death to victory.
Statement by the Chief of Staff: "The objectives of the war require a ground incursion - the best fighters are currently operating in Gaza" | IDF Spokesperson
The cooperation of ground fighters with air and naval forces, intelligence and ISA agencies upgrades defense capabilities and constitutes a force multiplier in the attack. His achievements are many. Unfortunately, it cannot completely prevent the price of friction.
The purification phase is still ahead of us
The attack in Jabaliya is the model. One of many illustrations of his unique contribution can be seen in the attack on a Hamas stronghold in western Jabaliya. This compound, among the houses of one of the most densely populated refugee camps in the world, included a network of camouflaged tunnels, firing infrastructure and large quantities of weapons.
In a combined attack from the ground and from the air, the compound and its men were destroyed. The battalion commander, Ibrahim Biari, who is credited with numerous attacks and deep involvement in the surprise attack on 7 October, was eliminated. Dozens of Hamas terrorists were killed.
The next stage after the maneuver - raids and attacks inside the Gaza Strip. IDF forces during the fighting, photo: IDF Spokesperson
The action in Jabaliya should be a model for how to deal with such challenges.
Not for a partial blockade. The blockade of Gaza is not "desirable but not necessary." It is an essential weapon, like all other means employed by the IDF in the campaign. In this war, the siege has a dual role. It is supposed to wear down the enemy and limit its capabilities, while at the same time contributing to the weakening of Hamas' control over the population.
IDF attacks in the Gaza Strip, Photo: AP
Its effectiveness depends on three conditions: the size of the holes in the sieve, the degree of enforcement and the duration. Intermittent or intermittent blockade or no enforcement - is not a siege.
This applies to demands for expanded humanitarian aid, the entry of fuel or a humanitarian ceasefire. As far as Hamas is concerned, the efforts to fight Israel take precedence over any other need, and thus it will relate to whatever is brought in for the population.
As long as Hamas holds the abductees in its hands, trampling on any humanitarian value, it is right to adopt a strict policy and allow into Gaza only what we are obligated to bring into Gaza, only into the southern Gaza Strip and only under supervision.
The streets of Gaza after Israeli air strikes, photo: AP
Paralyze Gaza's internet. Paralyzing the Internet and communications in Gaza is essential in order to disrupt Hamas' control, prevent effective coordination between the government apparatuses, interfere with propaganda efforts, increase confusion on the ground, and prevent the flow of information that would interfere with the activity of our forces on the ground. Even if its operation has advantages, they are null and void in relation to the disadvantages. Cutting off the internet will increase the chaos in Gaza. The fog will be thicker. You don't have to worry about it. Chaos is an inevitable stage on the way to a reality in which Hamas is not the controlling force in Gaza.
Preoccupation with the day after is harmful and early. The question of the day after the war is premature. Its existence may send a message contrary to the correct line that Israel has adopted in defining the goals of the war. Moreover, it is clear that the reality of the day after will be influenced by the magnitude of Israel's military achievement, the dynamics and the opportunities that will be created. These are difficult to predict now.
Demolitions in Gaza after IDF strikes, photo: Reuters
At this stage, it is suggested to make do with presenting the framework of the day after in the way of negation. There will be no Hamas regime in Gaza, military capabilities that threaten Israel, an arms industry, any restrictions on Israel's activities.
The last line of defense against radical Islam. "If the war ends without the destruction of Hamas, it will be a victory for Hamas and a defeat for Israel and the free world," Saudi journalist Abdulaziz al-Khamis said in an interview with Roy Case of Kan News. It reflects a thought that goes through the minds of regional and world leaders.
The declarations and actions will not always be consistent with this internal desire, but it can establish quiet understandings regarding the necessary confrontation with Hamas. In Gaza, but not only there.
After October 7, the world understands that Israel is the last line of defense against the spread of radical Hamas-ISIS Islam. The world will be less bad when we defeat Hamas.
The writer is the head of the Misgav Institute for National Security and Zionist Strategy
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