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LONDON DAILY ARCHIVE

Israel-Hamas war: Why 'big moment' of IDF invasion may not happen

In the hours and days after the 7 October attacks on Israel, the sense coming from the Israeli military and government was of an imminent ground invasion to avenge the massacre of their people.

27 October 2023 · 23:27 UTC

The Israeli military's approach to the conflict with Hamas in Gaza has evolved since the initial attacks on October 7. Instead of launching a full-scale ground invasion, they have opted for limited incursions with specific targets. These incursions occur at different points of entry and angles, including by sea, to keep Hamas off balance.

This strategy allows the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to gradually advance into Gaza while gathering intelligence, mapping routes, and assessing the environment. It's a deliberate approach that avoids a single "big moment" invasion, potentially catching Hamas fighters underground and undermining their morale.

As the IDF continues to push into Gaza, it may eventually transition to a street-by-street, house-by-house approach. This phase will carry greater risks, including ambushes, booby traps, and snipers. The earlier limited incursions aim to reduce these risks as much as possible.

The Israeli military is pursuing a slower, more deliberate approach to its operations in Gaza, gradually increasing the tempo of its actions rather than launching a large-scale ground invasion all at once.