Challenges in Israel's Military Strategy as Hamas Reemerges in Gaza

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The Israeli military has resumed its operations in northern Gaza after stating that it had destroyed Hamas’ command structure. However, it now believes that the Palestinian militant group is attempting to regroup in the area, casting doubt on Israel's goal of completely eliminating the group from the enclave.

Israel launched a new ground operation on Saturday, with heavy shelling and gunfire in the Jabalya refugee camp in northern Gaza. The Israeli military also expanded its operations to Zeitoun in central Gaza, continuing its offensive in eastern Rafah and near the Rafah crossing with Egypt.

Israel's decision to return to areas previously cleared of Hamas raises questions about its long-term military strategy. After more than seven months of conflict, over 35,000 Palestinians have lost their lives and Gaza is in ruins. However, more than 100 Israelis remain in captivity and Hamas' top leaders are still at large.

A man surveys the damage in a devastated neighborhood in the Gaza Strip Jabalia refugee camp on October 11, 2023, after Israeli airstrikes overnight during the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Hamas movement.

A man looks at the destruction in a ravaged neighbourhood in the Gaza Strip Jabalia refugee camp on October 11, 2023, following overnight Israeli airstrikes amid continuing battles between Israel and the Hamas movement.

Mahmud Hams/AFP/Getty Images

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Israel is currently six months into the war in Gaza with no exit strategy or clear plan for the future. The resumption of fighting in the north coincides with stalled talks for a ceasefire-for-hostages deal. Additionally, the Biden administration is showing signs of losing patience with Israel, its closest ally in the Middle East.

Over the weekend, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed strong disapproval of Israel's actions during the war. During an interview with CBS News on Sunday, Blinken stated that any initial success achieved by Israel in their invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah is not sustainable. He criticized Israel for lacking a credible plan to protect civilians and failing to have a post-war strategy for Gaza.

Blinken highlighted that despite Israel clearing parts of Gaza of Hamas, the militant group is returning, even in areas like the north and Khan Younis. He warned that a ground offensive in Rafah could result in Israel facing a long-term insurgency as armed Hamas members would likely remain in the area.

If Israel leaves Gaza, there is a concern that chaos, anarchy, and possibly Hamas will fill the vacuum.

Smoke rises after Israeli airstrikes on the Jabalya region, in Gaza City, Gaza on Monday.

Smoke rises after Israeli airstrikes on the Jabalya region, in Gaza City, Gaza on Monday.

Dawoud Abo Alkas/Anadolu/Getty Images

Some Israeli experts believe that Netanyahu's current approach to war, which focuses on completely eliminating Hamas in Gaza, is not effective. Danny Orbach, a military historian at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, stated that Israel's strategy lacks a long-term vision. He mentioned that continuously weakening Hamas without taking responsibility for governing Gaza is not a viable solution.

Netanyahu has stated that Israel will maintain "overall security responsibility" in Gaza for an indefinite period after the war, a stance that differs from that of the US.

According to Orbach, with no other government options available, Netanyahu continues his pattern of avoiding making decisions. The ongoing strategy of "clearing and degrading" allows him to sidestep tough choices regarding post-war Gaza, while also preventing Hamas from regaining its previous strength.

CNN's Scott McLean looks at a critical new Biden administration report that stopped short of officially saying Israel violated the law.

CNN's Scott McLean looks at a critical new Biden administration report that stopped short of officially saying Israel violated the law.

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The Israeli leader has not yet presented a plan for Gaza post-war. The US has been pushing for a reformed Palestinian Authority (PA) to govern Gaza, but Netanyahu has consistently opposed this idea. The PA is considered the potential government for a future independent Palestinian state that includes the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza as part of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Netanyahu has stated multiple times that the military is working towards eliminating Hamas. In an interview with Dr. Phil, he claimed that 14,000 Hamas fighters have been killed so far. Israel had estimated that Gaza had 30,000 fighters before October 7.

CNN is unable to confirm the numbers reported by the Palestinian health ministry or Israel because of restrictions on international media coverage.

Many former and current Israeli officials, including a high-ranking military leader, have expressed concerns about the current path of Israel's military actions.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Major General Herzi Halevi criticized Netanyahu’s strategy over the weekend. According to Israel’s Channel 13, Halevi stated that without a political change that removes Hamas from power in Gaza, the IDF will need to continue operations to dismantle Hamas infrastructure, calling it a challenging and ongoing task.

Senior IDF officials have advised the prime minister to take action and develop a clear strategy for the conflict, as reported by Channel 13.

Christiane Amanpour talks to Tamir Hayman, Former Chief of IDF Intelligence, about the impact of civilian casualties in Gaza on Hamas's political standing and Israel's strategic options after the recent attack by Iran on its territory.

Christiane Amanpour speaks with Tamir Hayman, Former Chief of IDF Intelligence, about whether the killing of civilians in Gaza is handing Hamas a political victory and the tactical options Israel has following Iran's recent attack on its soil. 

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Israel’s former head of military intelligence, Tamir Hayman, is recommending that Israel's leadership consider striking a hostage deal. This deal would involve an indefinite ceasefire and collaboration with a reformed Palestinian Authority to bring stability back to Gaza.

Hayman, who currently leads the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) in Tel Aviv, expressed his concerns to CNN. He warned that Israel could get stuck in a never-ending conflict with its neighbors, leading to constant tension. Hayman emphasized that a prolonged conflict could result in Gaza being controlled by Hamas or facing chaos as different armed groups vie for power.

Some people believe it is common for Hamas "pockets" to reappear in Gaza, and the Israeli military will need to go back to these areas until all fighters are gone.

According to Amir Aviv, a former deputy commander in Israel's military, this cycle will continue until all "pockets of resistance" are eliminated.

The former deputy commander is optimistic about the possibility of eradicating Hamas. He believes that Gaza is not a vast territory and that Israel has made significant progress by reaching the last stronghold in Rafah, leaving Hamas with limited options.

CNN’s Abdul Qader Sabbah in Jabalya, Abeer Salman, Kareem Khadder, Tim Lister, Kevin Liptak, and Eugenia Yosef have contributed to the reporting.

Editor's P/S:

The article comprehensively details the ongoing conflict in Gaza, highlighting the complexities and challenges faced by both Israel and the Palestinian people. It underscores the devastating human toll and the destruction of Gaza, with over 35,000 Palestinian lives lost and