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The IDF's Systematic Approach to Dismantling Hamas

(JNS) Yaakov Lappin - More than 100 days into the fighting, the Hamas war machine has sustained severe damage and is being further degraded by the day. Its ability to function as an organized military force in northern and central Gaza has been eliminated, though lone cells continue to attack Israeli forces as the opportunity arises. The IDF has been engaged in a gradual, ordered process of dismantling Hamas' capabilities from the top down, starting with eliminating enemy commanders, as well as their command and control capabilities - meaning the places from which they command field cells. In the next stage, bases and military posts are targeted, followed by weapons production and storage sites, and Hamas' tunnel networks, which are being systematically mapped and destroyed. Only after these target banks are exhausted does the IDF prioritize targeting Hamas fighters. Hamas is able to switch to decentralized guerilla warfare, but its forces are losing operatives, commanders and capabilities by the day. IDF special forces and intelligence units have been operating for weeks in the tunnels under Hamas' final major stronghold of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza. They are building a detailed intelligence picture and stepping up the pressure on Hamas' leadership, which, together with the hostages, is likely located in this area. The writer is an analyst at the Miryam Institute and a research associate at the Alma Research and Education Center.
2024-01-26 00:00:00
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