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Israel Advances Rapidly in Gaza, but Eliminating Hamas Leaders to Take Time
(Al-Monitor) Ben Caspit - The Israeli army has been advancing faster than its own commanders anticipated in encircling Gaza City and reaching Hamas headquarters, but accomplishing the goal of eliminating the group's political and military leadership will take time. Israel's vision of a knockout victory includes killing or capturing Hamas' entire military and political leadership, killing all the planners and perpetrators of the Oct. 7 massacre in Israel, eliminating all Hamas arsenals and firepower, and denying its ability to run Gaza or maintain its sovereignty there. Three IDF divisions are currently operating in Gaza with artillery, helicopter gunships, drones and fighter jets backing up their advance. Hamas has so far avoided confronting the Israeli troops head on, opting to exploit its advantage in ambushing and attacking from tunnels, and booby-trapping their route. The IDF estimates that between 1,500 and 2,000 assailants have been killed, including 15 officers at tactical command levels. The number of Israeli casualties, as of now, is at the low end of the preliminary estimates. Hamas is not showing any signs of breaking and has maintained much of its military strength. "This will not end until we reach the command bunker of Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif," a senior Israeli military source said. "It will be expensive and ugly, but we will not leave Gaza before that happens." IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari has repeatedly mentioned in his recent daily briefings that al-Shifa hospital in Gaza shields the underground Hamas nerve center and military command. Reporters have been presented with video and audio clips, photos and testimony to prove that Hamas was launching rockets at Israel from tunnel shafts located dozens of meters from the hospital. Israel will eventually have little choice but to roll into the compound and purge it of the Hamas commanders. To that end, advanced discussions are underway on equipping field hospitals inside or near Gaza as an alternative to al-Shifa hospital. A senior Israeli source said that the Hamas leadership was mistaken in thinking Israel would avoid the hospital compound.