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How the IDF Is Dislodging Hamas from Jabalya

(Jerusalem Post) Seth J. Frantzman - Jabalya is a densely populated urban area northeast of Gaza City. Terrorists came from Jabalya to attack Israel on Oct. 7. Jabalya had been cleared of terrorists last December, but there were areas the IDF didn't reach, and Hamas returned. The IDF has now been operating in Jabalya for 10 days. Raids are carried out with an understanding of the need to clear Hamas from areas both underground and aboveground. The IDF's tactic in Gaza of clearing areas but not remaining in them has been critiqued because it lets Hamas return. But leaving soldiers to control civilian areas, where they are likely to be targeted by enemy snipers, is not currently seen as an ideal use of them. The fighting continues every day, and about 10 to 20 terrorists are eliminated each day. In the first 10 days of the current operation, about 200 terrorists were killed. The IDF tactic of going into an area and clearing it, leaving it, and clearing it again is having an effect. Even though the enemy returns, they return in fewer numbers. After seven months of war, troops are learning how to recognize areas where there might be improvised explosive devices (IEDs). They also learn to sense where tunnel shafts may be located. The IDF continues to find weapons in many civilian homes. Almost every house has been used by terrorists in some form or another, including providing entrances to tunnels or observation posts, or hiding ammunition. The soldiers fighting in Gaza believe they will defeat Hamas over the long run.
2024-05-23 00:00:00
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