Treacherous terrains: How Israel's ground forces confront Gaza's cities and Lebanon's mountains

Oct. 1, 2024, 12:30 p.m.

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When confronting adversaries in the air, such as F-15 Eagles, F-16 Fighting Falcons, or F-35 Lightning IIs, the situation is comparatively straightforward when there is no opposing air force or inadequate ground-based air defence systems. However, the situation changes dramatically when the focus shifts to ground assaults. As tanks advance and infantry soldiers attempt to secure territory, they face a barrage of threats, including rockets, landmines, snipers, and more. At thousands of feet above the chaos, the safety of the cockpit feels worlds away, and neither the armour of a tank nor a bulletproof vest provides absolute protection. This harsh reality is well understood by Israeli infantry soldiers who have recently engaged in ground offensives in various areas of Gaza and Lebanon, suffering casualties in the process.

Advertisement Over the Mediterranean, the echoes of conflict resonate through the streets of Gaza and the hills of southern Lebanon. In 2024, Israel finds itself once again engaged in military operations. These regions are not simply battlegrounds. They serve as stark reminders of long-standing grievances, entrenched rivalries, and the complexities that define modern warfare.

Terrain and tactics

The terrain of Gaza presents significant challenges for military operations due to its densely populated urban landscape, characterised by narrow streets and closely packed buildings. This environment complicates manoeuvrability for the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), as the flat terrain facilitates troop movements but offers limited natural cover, increasing the risk of collateral damage during operations. Additionally, Hamas has constructed an extensive tunnel network, allowing for covert movement that enables surprise attacks and ambushes against Israeli forces.

Tactically, the IDF employs various key strategies in Gaza. Urban warfare techniques involve house-to-house searches and direct engagements that necessitate specialised units trained in close-quarters combat, similar to the tactics used by the Indian Army in counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir, known as Cordon and Search Operations (CASO). The IDF aims to neutralise threats while minimizing civilian casualties. Counter-tunnel operations are crucial, with specialised units deployed to locate and dismantle Hamas's tunnel systems using drone surveillance and ground-penetrating radar. For complex and high-risk targets, the IDF utilises airstrikes and artillery bombardments to target Hamas command centres, weapon caches, and tunnel networks.

Lebanon's diverse landscape, with its rugged mountains and urban centers, provides Hezbollah with a strategic advantage. Their guerrilla tactics utilize natural cover for ambushes and fortified positions, making conventional military operations challenging for the IDF.

Advertisement Key tactical elements utilised by Israel in Lebanon include limited ground engagements. The IDF has opted for rapid, tactical operations rather than large-scale ground invasions to mitigate the risks associated with prolonged engagements. Enhanced intelligence gathering is critical for monitoring Hezbollah's activities, utilising aerial reconnaissance and electronic surveillance to track movements and infrastructure. Additionally, targeted airstrikes aimed at disrupting Hezbollah's missile storage facilities and command centres are integral to Israel's strategy, seeking to weaken the group's operational capabilities without escalating into a full-blown war.

Current Gaza and Lebanon operations

At the beginning of the year, the IDF initiated Operation Shield of Defence in response to a surge in rocket fire from Hamas aiming to dismantle Hamas’s military infrastructure by focusing on key leadership and operational capabilities. The IDF’s tactics included extensive airstrikes targeting Hamas’s rocket launch sites, command centres and tunnel networks. Ground operations were also employed to secure areas and neutralise immediate threats. The humanitarian impact of these operations has been substantial with reports of civilian casualties and extensive infrastructure damage.

Advertisement The Israeli incursion into the Gaza Strip is a significant element of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Following the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, Israel initiated bombing operations in the Gaza Strip on October 13. Ground operations commenced shortly after, with a full-scale invasion launched on October 27 under the campaign named Operation Swords of Iron. This campaign has two primary objectives: to dismantle Hamas and to secure the release of hostages.

On January 23, the Israeli military reported the deaths of 24 soldiers in the Gaza Strip. This included 21 reservists killed in a single incident near the border, marking the deadliest day for Israeli forces since the war began. Hamas claimed responsibility for this incident, highlighting the vulnerability of ground troops compared to those operating from fighter jets.

Advertisement According to Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, since the onset of ground operations in Gaza on October 27, 2023, 346 soldiers have tragically lost their lives in combat. As of Monday, September 30, 2024, the data on IDF soldiers wounded in battle reflects the severe impact of the ongoing conflict. Since the start of the war on October 7, 2023, a total of 4,481 soldiers have been injured, including:

2,673 lightly wounded

1,130 moderately wounded

678 severely wounded

Specifically, since the commencement of ground operations, there have been 2,298 individuals wounded, with:

1,158 lightly wounded

699 moderately wounded

441 severely wounded

In Lebanon, Israeli military operations have primarily focussed on Operation Northern Shield, initiated in response to Hezbollah’s increased military activity along the border and within Israel. This operation aims to conduct airstrikes against Hezbollah’s missile storage facilities and launch sites, seeking to disrupt their operational capabilities and deter further aggression. Continuous aerial surveillance and reconnaissance missions are utilised to monitor Hezbollah’s movements, enhancing Israel’s intelligence on potential threats.

Reports from Tuesday indicate that Israel has launched an overnight invasion of Lebanon, with IDF troops crossing the border to conduct significant attacks on what they claim are Hezbollah targets while urging local residents to evacuate. The Israeli military announced the start of a “limited, localized” operation against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, stating that “targeted ground raids” are being executed in villages close to the Israeli border. These targets have been identified as posing an “immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel.”

Advertisement Residents in over 20 towns in southern Lebanon have been advised to evacuate immediately. IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee posted on X, stating, “The IDF does not want to harm you, and for your own safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately. Any home used by Hezbollah for its military needs is expected to be targeted.”

Israel announced early Tuesday that this operation had been in planning for several months and was launched following approval from political leaders. Drawing on its experience in Gaza, Israeli infantry soldiers and personnel from mechanised infantry divisions are committed to avoiding past mistakes in Lebanon, striving to minimize casualties in this new offensive.

A history of conflicts

The conflict in Gaza has been central to Israeli military operations since Hamas assumed control of the territory in 2007. Previous military actions, including Operation Cast Lead (2008-2009), Operation Pillar of Defence (2012), and Operation Protective Edge (2014), were initiated in response to escalating rocket fire from Gaza. These operations aimed to dismantle Hamas’s military infrastructure and leadership but frequently resulted in significant civilian casualties and widespread destruction of infrastructure. Over the years, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has worsened, with military operations exacerbating pre-existing challenges. This ongoing cycle of violence has created a complex dynamic, where military actions attract international criticism, yet Israel asserts the necessity of its operations for national security.

In Lebanon, Israel’s military history is deeply connected to its enduring conflict with Hezbollah, which has evolved since the 1982 Lebanon War and the 2006 Lebanon War. Hezbollah’s military capabilities have significantly grown over time, bolstered by support from Iran, leading to increased tensions along the Israeli-Lebanese border. Israel’s focus has shifted towards countering Hezbollah’s influence while navigating Lebanon’s intricate political landscape. These historical conflicts have shaped Israel’s military strategies and responses in both regions, perpetuating a cycle of violence and instability.

A region too hot

The urban landscape of Gaza and the diverse terrain of Lebanon require distinct tactical approaches as the IDF seeks to neutralise threats from both areas. As tensions rise, these regions remain crucial focal points in Israel’s broader security strategy, reflecting the inherent challenges and complexities of achieving lasting peace and stability.