With the conclusion of the campaign in Iran, full attention must now be directed to developments in Gaza.
Three months have passed since Israel violated the ceasefire in “Operation Gideon’s Chariots.” No progress has been made in pursuit of the declared goal—freeing the hostages by putting pressure on Hamas that would lead to a deal. The humanitarian aid control initiative has not changed the overall picture of chaos in Gaza, which continues to severely damage Israel’s international standing. Military units, engaged in continuous fighting for over 20 months, are suffering from heavy casualties, exhaustion, and difficulty maintaining operational discipline.
Alongside the troubling reports of fatalities among Israeli forces, there are also accounts—largely unknown to the public—of civilian casualties near the humanitarian aid distribution sites. Many regular and reserve units are reporting severe combat fatigue, hindering their ability to carry out missions whose operational logic is not always clear, given the declared objective.
IDF commanders have a responsibility to their soldiers to convey to the political leadership the implications of the deadlock in Gaza and to prepare in a manner that ensures the preservation of the forces and a reduction in casualties.
At the very least, the army’s readiness must be restored, and the severe mental, disciplinary, and moral erosion occurring during the fighting in the Strip must be prevented.
With the conclusion of the campaign in Iran, full attention must now be directed to developments in Gaza.
Three months have passed since Israel violated the ceasefire in “Operation Gideon’s Chariots.” No progress has been made in pursuit of the declared goal—freeing the hostages by putting pressure on Hamas that would lead to a deal. The humanitarian aid control initiative has not changed the overall picture of chaos in Gaza, which continues to severely damage Israel’s international standing. Military units, engaged in continuous fighting for over 20 months, are suffering from heavy casualties, exhaustion, and difficulty maintaining operational discipline.
Alongside the troubling reports of fatalities among Israeli forces, there are also accounts—largely unknown to the public—of civilian casualties near the humanitarian aid distribution sites. Many regular and reserve units are reporting severe combat fatigue, hindering their ability to carry out missions whose operational logic is not always clear, given the declared objective.
IDF commanders have a responsibility to their soldiers to convey to the political leadership the implications of the deadlock in Gaza and to prepare in a manner that ensures the preservation of the forces and a reduction in casualties.
At the very least, the army’s readiness must be restored, and the severe mental, disciplinary, and moral erosion occurring during the fighting in the Strip must be prevented.