They have some level of area control already. Now they will most probably try to consolidate and while keeping their ground they will most probably concentrate on the tunnels. As I said before this is a very hard task. Cleansing those tunnels with the means we know till now is almost impossible. The tunnel operations and the success in cutting the logistics and communications there will be of critical importance.Israeli forces are transitioning to the third phase of their operations in the northern Gaza Strip, which will very likely enable Hamas to reconstitute itself militarily.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that it withdrew five brigades from the northern Gaza Strip on December 31. This reduction in forces is part of what the IDF has described as its third phase in the strip, which also involves ending major combat operations, releasing reservists, transitioning to “targeted raids,” and establishing a security buffer zone within the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces have degraded several Hamas units and rendered others combat ineffective, particularly in the northern Gaza strip, since the beginning of the clearing operations. But Hamas’ military forces are neither defeated nor destroyed at this time. Decreased Israeli pressure would, in fact, allow Hamas to rebuild its military capabilities and infrastructure. Hamas maintains a conventional military structure, meaning that it should be able to quickly replace commanders who have died in the war. Several recently killed Hamas battalion and brigade commanders had led their units for many years, suggesting that they had the ability and time to develop successors to take their place. Such reconstitution is inconsistent with the stated Israeli war aims, which are to destroy Hamas militarily and politically.
Institute for the Study of War
Israeli forces are transitioning to the third phase of their operations in the northern Gaza Strip, which will very likely enable Hamas to reconstitute itself militarily. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that it withdrew five brigades from theisw.pub
@Bogeyman @Kartal1 @Gary @Sanchez Looks like Hamas will survive this round. But also, it is obvious Israel doesn't have any real solution so far. Targeted raids and security buffer zone are a mean to and end. Not the end itself. And I don't think the ultimate political objective of destroying Hamas can be achieved within this phase iii framework.
They know very well that this will not be an easy fight. They need the chaos and international support so they can become even more brutal in their means. The last surgical operations are a sign that they try to provoke a larger conflict. I am sure that after they create the chaos they will try to move the Palestinians out of Gaza forcefully. They know that as long as there are Palestinians in Gaza there will be resistance and knowing their pragmatic approach they will try to solve the problem from the root. The danger of a regional war is real and all sides must be very careful in their actions.