IDF commanders fighting in the northern Gaza Strip have responded to growing public criticism of IDF tactics in operations in the northern Gaza Strip by insisting that "we are not stuck in place" and that the current operation is different than previous ones, according to Army Radio reporter Doron Kadosh.
After October 7, the IDF's approach to degrading and destroying Hamas' terrorist army throughout the Gaza Strip was based on a series of targeted raids, both in strength and in speed, to reduce each Hamas unit's fighting capacity to about 30%. After that, IDF operations would be made much easier.
The IDF is now able to move much more freely in any area outside the humanitarian zone, but successful ambushes of IDF troops, especially with the use of buried IEDs, has led to increased criticism of IDF methods as not being comprehensive enough against remaining Hamas forces.
IDF commanders speaking to Army Radio said that current operations in the northern Gaza Strip are not raids, but rather a much more thorough effort to entirely destroy every last terrorist, weapon, tunnel, and item of infrastructure which could threaten Israel.
The commanders said that there are only a few dozen terrorists in the Beit Hanoun area trying to ambush IDF forces, and that the area should be thoroughly cleared out within a few weeks.
They also noted that operations in Jebaliya have also largely wound down, as fighting has declined and the IDF has largely achieved its goals after three months of fighting in the area.
The remaining question is what Israel will do with the northern Gaza Strip after it has been cleared of terrorists - will it occupy it or strategic parts of it, or evacuate it for the sake of a hostage deal or deal with a new governing body for the Strip. The Israeli government has not yet made a decision on the matter.
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