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UNDERSTANDING The dynamics of the 2014 Gaza conflict July 30, 2014. Current Situation. Ground operations Air Operations Negotiations. Israeli Objectives. Hamas Objectives. Strategy : Israel
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UNDERSTANDING The dynamics of the 2014 Gaza conflictJuly 30, 2014
Current Situation • Ground operations • Air Operations • Negotiations
Strategy: Israel • Use air and ground power to compel Hamas to accept quiet • Damage Palestinianmilitary forces and infrastructure with intense air and limites groundoperations • Conductcasualty sensitive operations • Conduct media campaignto justifyopeartions and limitdamgefromciviliancasualities.
Strategy: Hamas • Conductsustained rocket firinginto the depth of Israel • DisruptIsraelcivilian life/economy, inflict damage • Achieve « image of victory »: attack on Israeltwon, kill large number of soldiers, hostagetaking • PreventanydeepIsraelipenetration of Gaza on the ground • AttriteIsraeliground forces • Conduct media campaign to paintIsrael as agressor, limitIsraelimilitaryactivity, end warwith favorable terms.
The Rocket/Air War (1) • Rocket forces and operations
The Rocket/Air War (2) • Rockets vs IronDome • IronDomecapabilities: engage threat rockets only • IronDome batteries: 10 deployes(3 duringconflict) • Intercepts: 300(in first tendays • Accuracy/eefectiveness: claimed 86% of threat rockets
The Rocket/Air War (3) • Israeli air Campaign • Air vs the rocket system: production, movement, storage, launchers, launchunits. • Air vs the Hamas infrastructure: leadership, C2, weaponsstorage, combat forces, tunnels • Itotalstrikes: 2037 (first 10 days) • Avg per day: 200 plus
The Ground War • Engineering warfare • Tunnels: 60 plus, infiltration, storage, smuggling, communications • IEDs: one of Hamas most important defensivemeasures • Tank vs anti-tank • Close combat: direct fire engagements betweentroop • Infiltration: intoIsrael(5 attemps(), inside Gaza, sigIsraeli KI • Fire Support: used by bothside • Suicide actions: a few
LessonsLearned: Israel • Air power not enoughagainsthardenedenemy: Physical and mental • IronDomedoes not completlysolve the rocket problem • Significantciviliancasualitieswilloccurregardless of the measurestaken • Incrementalism in groundopsgives the enemy an advantage • Continuing challenge of urban combat • Tunnels wilbe a venue of combat • Don’tneglect the ground forces
LessonsLearned: Hamas • In a crisis, initiate the fighting • Israelisheavilyconstrained by the civilian population in Gaza • Srocketfiring/mil opscan continue evenunder intense air attack • Media waris crucial • Validation of Hamas theory of combat
Game Changers • IronDome: Negatinghamascapabilities to cause casualities/damage insideIsrael • Hamas close combat capabilities: a significantshockwitheffects • Tunnels System: creatingstrategiceffects • Protection of military infrastructure/forces against IDF • Cross border penetration for strategicpurposes
Near TermDevelopments • Continuednegotiations: • Humanitarianceasefire • Ceasefire to negotiate arrangement • Comprehensive arrangement • Continuedmilitaryoperations. Israel and Hamas • Expandedmilitaryoperations: Israel?