'Israel' has ambitions tamer than 'toppling Hamas': Financial Times
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The Israeli occupation forces are being more grounded when it comes to their expectations out of the ground invasion of Gaza.
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Fire and smoke rise following Israeli airstrikes in northern Gaza Strip, occupied Palestine, Oct. 30, 2023 (AP)
The Israeli occupation's initial incursion into Gaza might have more pragmatic objectives than previously anticipated, the Financial Times reported on Monday.
According to the US outlet, the limited scope of the operation could go back to the Israeli occupation seeking goals less ambitious than toppling Hamas.
The Israeli occupation responded to the Palestinian Resistance attacks on October 7 with the largest mobilization, popularizing the belief that "Israel" sought to invade Gaza and not leave one stone unturned. However, as the Israeli occupation's tanks and forces entered Gaza at the end of the week, the invasion was not so much of an invasion as it was an incursion with limited capabilities.
Incumbent and former officials cited in the report explained that the seemingly limited scope of this initial Israeli incursion reflects a complex mix of factors: the occupation's primary aim is to maximize its firepower advantage over Hamas while minimizing the losses while also being cautious not to get involved in a broader conflict that could get other adversaries involved.
From a tactical perspective, the smaller footprint of the incursion allows for ground forces to receive close air support easily, which is crucial for entering parts of northern Gaza, according to insiders familiar with Israeli battle plans.
'It's all planned'
Gaza Division former deputy commander Amir Avivi explained this approach, noting that the Israeli occupation forces "do not take risks" and that its usage of artillery and close air support was to ensure the safety of Israeli soldiers as they move in Gaza.
Hamas, meanwhile, is fully equipped for this war, and despite the intense fighting expected, Israeli officials and experts are highlighting how Hamas has paramount experience in urban warfare, in addition to its vast network of tunnels. Additionally, they possess a stockpile of anti-tank weapons and explosive devices that are sure to make it at the very least much more difficult for Israeli vehicles to advance.
The report also suggests that the Israeli commitment to deploying fewer troops in Gaza may indicate a strategy to easily redeploy human resources in the north if Hezbollah were to become involved in the conflict, according to insiders familiar with Israeli battle plans.
Other reports suggest that the Israeli occupation is committed to deploying fewer troops in Gaza, which could indicate a strategy aimed at easily mobilizing forces in the north if Hezbollah were to become involved in the conflict.
One unnamed Western diplomat was cited as saying the Israelis are concerned that Hezbollah and Iran would see a ground invasion as a catalyst for further escalation, which is why they are not calling it a ground invasion.
The Israeli occupation forces have been referring to the escalation in the Gaza Strip as "ground operations", and the change of mind in terms of terminology seems to go hand in hand with what experts are saying.
The diplomat added that the IOF's short-to-medium-term goal is to destroy military infrastructure and eliminate Hamas' leadership, though they did not clarify their end goal due, possibly, to the lack of one.
Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that some 5,000 US military forces are engaging in the "expanded" Israeli "ground operation" launched in Gaza on Friday night, adding that the operation involved three divisions and several brigades.
Earlier, Tasnim reported that the US military commanders took charge of the situation in the Israeli army after the Israeli leaders lost all faith in the abilities of their personnel following the humiliating defeat in Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.
While the Gaza Strip experienced on Friday the heaviest bombardment since the beginning of Israeli aggression 22 days ago, the Israeli army attempted to enter the Gaza Strip from several fronts, including al-Bureij, Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahia, and north of Khan Yunis. Their strategic goal was to split the Gaza Strip into two or three sections and cut off all means of communication in the area before launching the "next stage of the war."
On another hand, one insider familiar with the Israeli occupation's battle plans said that as of Sunday morning, the IOF did not know why the Palestinian Resistance did not fire more anti-tank missiles at their armored vehicles as they were making their way through northern Gaza.
FT highlighted that many experts warned against trying to explain Hamas' reaction at such an early phase, especially after Israeli intelligence agencies wrongly estimated the capabilities and intentions of Hamas earlier in the month.
Former Israeli National Security Council Eyal Hulata underlined that everything that has happened since October 7 was a big surprise, saying he would adhere to caution when it comes to Hamas' capabilities.
Israeli ground invasion narrative debunked by Gaza Government
The Gaza Government's Media Office announced that contrary to the Israeli occupation's narrative regarding the ground incursions into Gaza, the "IOF made no ground progress within Gaza's residential neighborhoods," adding that "what occurred on Salah al-Din Street was the incursion of a few tanks and a bulldozer from the open agricultural area of Juhr al-Dik."
"The military [IOF] vehicles targeted two Palestinian civilian vehicles on Salah al-Din Street, killing 3 civilians," said the statement, further adding that the IOF then "bulldozed the street before the Resistance forced them to retreat."
The statement also stressed that "there is currently no presence of occupation forces vehicles on Salah al-Din Street, and regular movement has returned to normal."
The Media Office also underscored that what happened shows that the IOF cannot maintain its presence in any area inside the Gaza Strip under Resistance strikes, "even if it is an open agricultural field like the one it entered in the morning, covered by heavy aerial bombardment," stressing that the Israeli occupation is "trying to paint an unrealistic picture" regarding the presence of IOF soldiers in areas within the sector.
In turn, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad announced that the "enemy incursion in open areas is being achieved under heavy air support, which resulted in civilian massacres," adding that "the ground aggression began days ago, and the enemy was not able to score any achievement, save for making some headway in open areas."
