Why Israel could not eliminate Hamas from Gaza after…, IDF’s strategy failed because…

After the initial massive attacks on Israel, Hamas braced for a retaliatory assault. Israel delayed its ground offensive until October 27, giving the militants a time to regroup and prepare.

Israel-Hamas War: After the ceasefire declared in Gaza between Israel and Hamas and both the sides agreed to release hostages as part of the recently signed agreement. However, truce remains fragile and could collapse at any moment. Notably, war started between Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and Hamas militants when Israel announced to eliminate them following the October 7, 2023, attacks. Despite heavy losses inflicted by IDF’s deadly attacks, which have claimed thousands of lives in Gaza Strip, Hamas continues to resist fiercely. This raises the question: why has Israel, with its vastly superior military, been unable to eliminate Hamas?

Hamas Fighters Versus Israeli Army

When the conflict started, Hamas deployed thousands of fighters to attack Israel. By October 7, Hamas was estimated to have around 24 battalions with nearly 30,000 fighters. Other militant groups in Gaza, including Palestinian Islamic Jihad, added thousands more fighters in the fleet. This addon brought the total to approx 40,000 militants. On the opposing side, Israel deployed 300,000 reservists and deployed about five divisions to fight in Gaza.

Hamas Fighters and Gaza’s Massive Tunnel Networks

After suffering heavy losses from initial Israeli attacks, Hamas fighters retreated into Gaza’s tunnels and launched guerrilla warfare from within these tunnel networks. However, Israel countered this hide-and-seek fight with its advanced technology.

Hamas Prepared for Israeli Attacks

After the initial massive attacks on Israel, Hamas braced for a retaliatory assault. Israel delayed its ground offensive until October 27, giving the militants a time to regroup and prepare.

While Israel needed to recover from the shock of the October 7 Hamas attacks, the militant group faced challenges managing a large number of hostages and responding to extensive Israeli airstrikes.

Hamas Fighters Blend with Civilians

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) did not enter many areas surrounding Gaza City. Even in places like Jabaliya and Beit Hanoun, the IDF avoided fully clearing these zones. This allowed Hamas fighters to blend in with civilians. There are incidents when the IDF permitted civilians fleeing south from Gaza City, enabling Hamas fighters to escape to safer areas.

Hamas’s Survival Amid Israeli Assaults

In early 2024, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reduced their operations in Gaza, concentrating their efforts on Khan Yunis. The 98th Division dedicated several months to clearing this key Hamas stronghold. After a significant pause, the IDF opted to advance towards Rafah. During this time, Hamas took advantage of what amounted to a ceasefire in Gaza from March to April, enabling them to reorganize. This delay also aligned with U.S. attempts to build a floating pier near the Netzarim Corridor, which ultimately did not succeed but took valuable time, facilitating Hamas’s restructuring. The situation highlights the complexities faced by Israel in their mission to dismantle Hamas, as urban combat, tunnel systems, and the group’s integration with civilian communities pose significant challenges.