Sean Rayment

Why Israel is changing tactics in its war on Hamas

An Israeli military tank rolls near the border with the Gaza Strip (Credit: Getty images)

The conflict in Gaza is about to enter a crucial phase as Israel continues its military campaign to destroy Hamas. After a seven-day pause in hostilities saw Hamas release 110 hostages in return for 240 Palestinians, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) are now locked into a more complex and politically tricky battle as they venture into southern Gaza. If the IDF adopts the same tactics in the south as they did in the north of the Gaza Strip, then thousands more Palestinian civilians will die. There are signs, however, that Israel is changing tactics after bowing to pressure from allies.

Over 15,000 civilians have been killed, according to the Hamas-controlled health authority in Gaza. That number could easily double in the weeks or months ahead, unless Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders his generals to change their tactics. While the Israeli government is determined to press ahead with its stated war aim of destroying

Written by
Sean Rayment

Sean Rayment is the editor of National Security News and the co-host of The Security Podcast. He served as a Captain in the Parachute Regiment in the late 1980s. As a defence correspondent, he has reported on wars in the Balkans, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Gulf and Africa.

Topics in this article

Comments

Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.

Already a subscriber? Log in