The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have started encircling cities in southern Gaza after the northern part was reduced to rubbles following relentless bombardment for weeks. The IAF conducted over 250 air strikes on targets in the Gaza Strip yesterday as it continues to advance its objectives. It was the heaviest day of airstrikes since the Gaza war began. The IAF also scrambled several helicopters, including the Aerospatiale SA-341 Gazelle, to help hunt terrorists and assist ground troops in their operations. One of these missions saw a squadron of IDF soldiers armed with Assault Rifles barge into a building that was used by Hamas operatives. The intelligence gathered by the ground troops was precise enough to allow a helicopter to attack the vehicle that the terrorists were traveling in, preventing them from fleeing the scene.
On the ground, troops from two separate IDF divisions are advancing. A video distributed by the IDF and geolocated by CNN shows dozens of soldiers marching across sandy terrain as well as a bulldozer pushing through dirt to clear a path free of IEDs (improvised explosive devices).
In one clip, a squadron of tanks, with their turrets protected by a metal cage, is seen operating in narrow streets. The cage is a lesson learned from the Russia-Ukraine war, where the turrets of some Russian tanks were exposed to drone attacks and even the deadly Molotov cocktails. A cage is a cheap and effective way to protect tanks against these weapons, but it is not foolproof.
Fighting in built-up areas – where streets are narrow and buildings are densely populated – entails lethal urban warfare and is a challenging endeavor for both infantry units and armored units alike. To cope with this, the IDF is deploying advanced technology for the urban battlefield, such as a specialized tank called the Merkava IV. This tank features a ‘cope-cage,’ a metal roof that protects the turret from drones and Molotov cocktails but still allows crew members to look around 360 degrees.
The ‘cope-cage’ is a cost-effective way to add another layer of protection for soldiers inside tanks, and it also provides some flexibility to the crew when they need to change direction or move forward in an urban area. The IDF has deployed many other specialized technologies for the urban fight, including Active Protection systems that detect and destroy anti-tank missiles before they strike.
Some military experts have warned that Israel will eventually need to make a complete invasion of the Gaza Strip. The current operation, they say, could quickly escalate into massive bloodshed in the region as they try to neutralize Hamas’ tunnels. The IDF has said they want to “test the waters” here but have not yet said whether a full invasion will occur. But it is feared that they might reconsider this option if they sustain many casualties. The rumors of a full-scale invasion are not helping to ease tensions with the Gaza residents.
