Israel looks to a new phase of the Hamas war as fighting continues in Gaza
Withdrawal of Israeli Tanks from Gaza
Israeli tanks withdrew from some areas of Gaza City on Monday, while fighting continued in other parts of the Palestinian enclave amid heavy bombardment.
Israel says the war in Gaza, which has led to the destruction of large parts of the territory, the death of thousands, and a humanitarian disaster for its 2.3 million people, will continue for several months.
However, Israel indicated a shift in its tactics, with an official stating on Monday that the army would reduce its forces inside Gaza this month and move to a phase of enhanced local operations lasting several months.
The official stated that the troop reduction would allow some reservists to return to civilian life, bolster Israel’s war-impacted economy, and free up units in case of a wider conflict in the north with Iran-backed Hezbollah.
Escalation of Regional Conflict
Fighting between Hezbollah and Israel along the border since the onset of the Gaza conflict suggests that any new escalation carries the risks of a broader regional war.
On the other hand, Iran-backed fighters in Yemen attacked shipments in the Red Sea, prompting a U.S. military response, with Iranian media reporting on Monday that an Iranian warship had sailed to the waterway.
Development of the New Phase
Israel’s moves to a new phase in the conflict follow the initial bombardment and ground invasion that began on October 27.
Aerial and artillery strikes continued to bombard the entire sector during that period, causing extensive destruction.
As Israeli tanks and forces advance through most of northern Gaza and continue to push into the center and parts of the south, Hamas is responding with crime-style ambushes from tunnels and shelters in the narrow streets of the enclave.
Regional Implications
Countries in the region fear that the conflict may spread. The last time Israel and Hezbollah fought a major war in Lebanon was in 2006, and the clashes since October 7 have been the most intense since then.
The Israeli official said, “The situation on the Lebanese front cannot continue. These next six months are a critical moment.”
Israel has also attacked sites in Syria, while Iran-backed militia groups there and in Iraq have targeted U.S. allies.
Border between Gaza and Egypt
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that the country must regain control of the border between Gaza and Egypt, an area now crowded with civilians fleeing the carnage in the rest of the enclave.
Restoring control of the border could reverse Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, raising new questions about the future of the enclave and the prospects for a Palestinian state.
Washington has stated that Israel must allow the Palestinian government to take control of Gaza after the conflict ends.
.lwrp .lwrp-list-container{
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-multi-container{
display: flex;
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-double{
width: 48%;
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-triple{
width: 32%;
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-row-container{
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-row-container .lwrp-list-item{
width: calc(12% – 20px);
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-item:not(.lwrp-no-posts-message-item){
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-item img{
max-width: 100%;
height: auto;
object-fit: cover;
aspect-ratio: 1 / 1;
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-item.lwrp-empty-list-item{
background: initial !important;
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-item .lwrp-list-link .lwrp-list-link-title-text,
.lwrp .lwrp-list-item .lwrp-list-no-posts-message{
}@media screen and (max-width: 480px) {
.lwrp.link-whisper-related-posts{
}
.lwrp .lwrp-title{
}.lwrp .lwrp-description{
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-multi-container{
flex-direction: column;
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-multi-container ul.lwrp-list{
margin-top: 0px;
margin-bottom: 0px;
padding-top: 0px;
padding-bottom: 0px;
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-double,
.lwrp .lwrp-list-triple{
width: 100%;
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-row-container{
justify-content: initial;
flex-direction: column;
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-row-container .lwrp-list-item{
width: 100%;
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-item:not(.lwrp-no-posts-message-item){
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-item .lwrp-list-link .lwrp-list-link-title-text,
.lwrp .lwrp-list-item .lwrp-list-no-posts-message{
}
};
}
Leave a Reply