At the end of 30 days of fighting, after recovering from the initial shock, the air strike effort was completed, and now the center of gravity has shifted to ground operations, infantry, engineering and armor.
IDF aerial bombardments in Gaza // Credit: Hamdan al-Hadhuhu
Gaza has an extensive network of terrorist infrastructures planted in and below the civilian sphere. Faced with the Israeli concept of action that favored airstrikes, Hamas built its systems in the heart of the civilian population in order to use it as human shields and limit the IDF's activity.
Over many years, round after round, the IDF developed impressive and precise fire and intelligence capabilities, but this was not enough. We learned a particularly painful lesson that you have to reach the head of the snake, which sits deep in its burrows. And this can only be done with the feet.
Ground activity by IDF forces in the Gaza Strip, photo: IDF Spokesperson
Gaza may be the same Gaza, but for years there was no IDF presence or activity. Hamas prepared, strengthened and entrenched itself. Above and below the surface: fortified arrays, booby-traps, positions and tunnel shafts. All these were built in courtyards, mosques, hospitals. It is necessary to dismantle them decisively and carefully, in order to reach the head of the snake.
Covering every step, scanning your eyes, searching carefully, now that's the area that speaks. You walk with your eyes, your nose, your intuition and the intelligence generated by friction. It is dangerous, but necessary. The strap is dismembered and encircled. The ring is tightening, and the pressure on Hamas is increasing. It takes time and patience. Like a sapper breaking string after string with an explosive device.
Supplies are dwindling, and most terrorists have not seen the light of day for a long time, cut off from the outside world. The psychological component works with each passing day, and this is exactly the time to keep pressing the gas pedal - but also to act wisely and take care of the safety of our people. Because we must end this war with victory.
The forces eliminated terrorists operating in the area, exposed tunnel shafts used for terrorist purposes and located weapons belonging to the organization, photo: IDF Spokesperson
The Hamas attack not only caused enormous loss among us, it not only wreaked havoc on our communities and communities. The attack of October 7 awakened in the hearts of many of our enemies an old hope, that the time had come. Hope that they will be able by brute force to annihilate the home of all of us, to eradicate the State of Israel from the world. Hope that is like a breeze on whispering embers.
Therefore, this time there is no need for a victory picture. This time, a real victory is needed. Clearly, resonantly. A victory that will make it clear that Israeli society is determined to cut off any hand raised above its head; that will destroy any glimmer of hope that can be defeated by force; To close any crack in the iron wall.
"War requires a supreme effort of the people." Ben Gurion Photo : AM, Photo: GPO
"War requires a supreme effort on the part of the people," said David Ben-Gurion, "and no nation makes such an effort as long as it does not feel in danger and does not see its scope and severity." It seems that after the events of October 7, there is no need to clarify the danger and its severity. And now the supreme effort of the people is required – against every danger that lies before us, against every threat that has developed along our borders, from the south as well as from the north.
The writer is the Chief of Staff of the Galilee Division in the reserves
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