Former senior U.S. military officials weigh in on expected brutal urban warfare.
An Israeli Armored Personnel Carrier takes position near Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel, Oct. 13, 2023.Israel's warning on Friday to residents of northern Gaza to evacuate toward the southern Gaza Strip fueled speculation Israel was be about to launch a major ground incursion into Gaza.
ABC News spoke with senior former U.S. military commanders and analysts about the objectives of an offensive, how it could unfold and what problems Israeli troops could face.Ohad Zwigenberg/APIsrael's stated objective is to eliminate Hamas in Gaza, but to do that will require ground troops in extended urban warfare, retired Gen. Frank McKenzie, the former commander of U.S. Central Command, told ABC News.
"In order to clear buildings, basements and the extensive network of tunnels they will have to dismount their infantry and essentially fight soldier-on-soldier and block-by-block in the built up areas," said Mick Mulroy, a former deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East and an ABC News contributor.
On Friday, Israel's Defense Force disclosed that Israeli troops had begun to carry out localized raids into Gaza, something that the experts contacted by ABC News had fully anticipated as an effort to probe for weaknesses in Hamas defenses. "Their main assault force would likely come in through the far north at the Erez point, the terrain around this location supports the movement of large tank and armored personnel carriers " said Mulroy.
"Once the Israelis enter in, maneuver will be very difficult," said Abrams. "The advantage will go to the defender, even a relatively small number, but they're going to be well, well armed and determined." Palestinians drive amid the rubble of buildings destroyed in an Israeli air strike in Rafah, on the southern Gaza Strip on Oct. 12, 2023.During his trip to Israel on Friday to meet with Israeli leaders, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin cited his personal experience of having served alongside Israeli forces during his 41 years of military service as an indicator to him that Israel is seeking to prevent civilian casualties in its airstrikes in Gaza and in future fighting.
Norge Siste Nytt, Norge Overskrifter
Similar News:Du kan også lese nyheter som ligner på denne som vi har samlet inn fra andre nyhetskilder.
Israel-Gaza war live updates: Israel urges 1.1M people in north Gaza Strip to evacuateThe U.N. said the evacuation warnings, which affects nearly half the Gaza population, could “transform what is already a tragedy into a calamitous situation.”
Les mer »
Israel-Gaza war live updates: 27 Americans dead, Kirby says; Gaza hospitals running out of suppliesSecretary of State Antony Blinken is in Tel Aviv in a show of support for Israel after the Hamas attack. Gaza hospitals face dire shortages amid Israel’s siege.
Les mer »
Israel-Gaza war live updates: Blinken says 27 Americans dead; Gaza hospitals running out of suppliesSecretary of State Antony Blinken is in Tel Aviv in a show of support for Israel after the Hamas attack. Gaza hospitals face dire shortages amid Israel’s siege.
Les mer »
Israel-Gaza war live updates: 27 Americans dead, U.S. says; Gaza hospitals running out of suppliesSecretary of State Antony Blinken is in Tel Aviv in a show of support for Israel after the Hamas attack. Gaza hospitals face dire shortages amid Israel’s siege.
Les mer »
Israel-Gaza war live updates: Blinken says 25 Americans dead; Gaza hospitals running out of suppliesSecretary of State Antony Blinken is in Tel Aviv in a show of support for Israel after the Hamas attack. Gaza hospitals face dire shortages amid Israel’s siege.
Les mer »