Increasing numbers of Israeli citizens are being evacuated from both Southern and Northern territories. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), 500 thousand people are internally displaced within Israel. The IDF has also reported that at least 199 people are being held hostage in Gaza, which is a significant increase compared to previous estimates. Freeing the hostages is one of Israel’s top concerns, and preparations for a land operation continue. Notably, the IDF has extensive experience fighting in Gaza, but such prior experience does not make the challenges of urban warfare less significant. In fact, it has been fifteen years since Operation Cast Lead (2008-2009), as an Israeli ground incursion into Gaza saw extensive street fighting and the type of urban warfare that is likely to take place in Gaza over the coming days and weeks. Also, considering the methodical planning involved in the 7 October attack, it is likely that Hamas will have devoted significant time planning for the next phase of the conflict too. Crucially, the use of hostages and civilians as human shields will add an additional layer of complexity to the fight. As far as Israeli tactics are concerned, reports have emerged that the IDF has started training for ops, not in buildings but in the rubble of destroyed buildings, signalling the likely need to fight in areas that have been severely bombed up to this point. Another key challenge is the underground tunnels, which will likely be cleared using uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs), and other intelligence assets to map them and identify booby traps, before sending in soldiers.
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