On video: Documentation of the commando formation's attack on West Khan Yunis/photo: report
Officials in the security system warn of the "shuffling" phenomenon - a situation in which the IDF does not maneuver quickly and efficiently, fulfilling operational tasks such as locating terrorist houses and underground structures, scanning and destroying them, and as a result the enemy is able to approach the forces and hit them with counterfire or explosive charges Some officials criticized the lack of decision-making: "Right now the IDF is wasting its time in the Gaza Strip."
The IDF raised the readiness and preparation for the possibility of expanding the maneuver in the Gaza Strip at two locations: the Hamas battalions in the central camps, and the Hamas battalions in Rafah. According to sources in the Operations Division, the moment is approaching when Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi will be required to convey to the political level his recommendation for the various possibilities of ground maneuver.
Among other things, it will be examined whether to launch a ground maneuver into a new area, or to wait and in the meantime to deepen the achievement in the areas where the IDF has operated so far: the north and center of Gaza City, the city of Khan Yunis, the Carrara area and the Abbasanis.
IDF forces in the Gaza Strip, March 2, 2024/IDF spokesperson
According to sources in the Southern Command, the questions surrounding the continuation of the ground maneuver are divided into two parts.
The first is whether it is even correct to maneuver into Rafah, despite American and Egyptian pressure and international legitimacy problems, and on the other hand, clear recommendations from senior IDF officers to maneuver into Rafah at all costs in order to dismantle the command and control framework of the military wing of Hamas and the infrastructures that support it.
In the second part of the discussion there is Fear of entanglement in the ground maneuver. "We don't want to expand the maneuver to Rafah or the central camps and while dealing with an agreement to release hostages, which forces a truce at the beginning or in the middle of the maneuver, thereby preventing a critical operational momentum for the decision of Hamas and the surrender of the senior officials," said a senior officer in a closed conversation, adding that " The next few days will be tense.
The senior political and military echelon will be required to examine the developments in the negotiations and decide on the heavy questions. The idea is not only to use the maneuver as a lever of pressure but also to overwhelm the Hamas brigades."
It is important to note that not all the members of the War Cabinet and the members of the IDF General Staff Forum support the maneuver towards Rafah.
The IDF is currently operating two brigade combat teams in the north of the Gaza Strip under Division 162 and four brigade combat teams in the Khan Yunis area under Division 98, not including the forces who operate under the Gaza Division in the buffer zone and along the Palestinian border.
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