Weeks into the war, how much closer is Israel to its goal of destroying Hamas? This question has been on the minds of many as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to escalate. It has been nearly two weeks since Israel launched its ground offensive into Gaza, following weeks of intensive air strikes. The military objective for Israel has always been clear – to destroy Hamas, both militarily and politically. But how much progress has been made towards achieving this goal, and is it even achievable?
According to Israel, this is just the beginning of a long and difficult operation. One senior Israel Defense Forces (IDF) official compared it to a boxing match, stating that it is only round four of fifteen. The duration of the war remains uncertain, as international pressure for pauses in the fighting or a ceasefire continues to grow.
Israel claims to have carried out over 14,000 strikes and killed dozens of high-value targets, including senior Hamas commanders. The number of munitions fired by Israel is estimated to be over 23,000. In comparison, during the battle for Mosul, Western allies dropped around 500 bombs a week on IS targets. The cost for Hamas has been high, with reports suggesting that around 4,000 Hamas fighters have been killed. However, it is crucial to approach these estimates with caution.
On the ground, Israel’s ground offensive appears to be going as planned in isolating Hamas. The Gaza Strip has been divided into north and south, and Israeli troops claim to have surrounded Gaza City. Hamas, however, denies that Israeli forces have made any significant gains or pushed deep into Gaza City. It is hard to determine the real situation in the north, as well as the number of fighters hiding in tunnels or blending into the local population in the south. The tunnels continue to pose a significant challenge for Israel, but its advantage in intelligence and military capabilities remains strong.
Israel has complete air superiority with its jets and drones constantly monitoring the movements on the ground. Interception of communications and control over Gaza’s mobile phone and internet networks provide Israel with a significant advantage. Yet, as the war continues, Israel will have to rely more on ground troops to identify and eliminate resistance. Urban warfare, especially in heavily defended areas, can still prove to be challenging.
Though Israel has not committed all its forces, the question remains as to how many infantry troops it is willing to deploy to clear the buildings and Hamas tunnels. The risk of heavy casualties and the jeopardy of hostages’ lives discourage Israel from block-by-block fighting. As a result, the possibility of fully destroying Hamas through military means is increasingly debated. Some Israeli officials recognize that destroying an ideology with bombings and bullets is an impossible task.
The war aims of Israel could shift from total destruction of Hamas to punishing it, ensuring there is no repeat of the attacks in the future. However, there is growing pressure on Israel to provide a plan for the post-invasion period. The absence of a clear plan has raised concerns about the long-term solution and the future of the region.
As the conflict unfolds, it is important to closely monitor the progress and challenges Israel faces in its ground offensive. The impact of this war reaches far beyond the borders of Gaza and Israel. The international community is watching closely and urging for a resolution that will bring lasting peace to the region.
