schema.org/VideoObject"> Thus far defined by advances into very limited areas of the Gaza Strip, Israel's ground offensive against Hamas is underway. The Israel Defense Forces are attempting to thread a near-thin needle. Namely, minimizing IDF and civilian casualties while steadily degrading Hamas.Its present approach cannot endure. Hamas will retain some measure of Palestinian support whatever the outcome of this conflict.
With only cautious advances so far, the IDF wants to force Hamas to organize a defensive response. This defensive response, the IDF hopes, will enable it to gather intelligence on Hamas commanders, weapons stockpiles, and the location of Hamas combat units. This intelligence can then feed targets for IDF airstrikes, softening up Hamas before further ground action.
The IDF's primary problem is that Hamas is patient. It wants to suck the IDF deeper into Gaza before conducting a scaled defense. Hamas knows that deeper IDF operations will open IDF ground units up to ambushes while limiting their means of artillery and air support.
Regardless of international pressure, Israel is likely to continue its ground operations for the foreseeable future. Israeli leaders view this conflict through an existential prism: necessary both to destroy Hamas's provably vast threat potential and also to restore Israeli deterrence against Iran . Yet, to degrade Hamas very significantly, the IDF will eventually have to deploy its ground forces across Gaza. That will mean destroying civilian buildings for purposes of covered advance . IDF forces will have advantages in terms of overhead surveillance and operating at night. But the deeper they advance, the more Hamas will be able to exploit the battlefield terrain to its own advantage.