Land Sea and Air… Israel Prepares for an Unprecedente Incursion into Gaza

11th May 2025

2 minutes read

Land Sea and Air… Israel Prepares for an Unprecedente Incursion into Gaza

In an unprecedented escalation of the war that has lasted for over a year and a half, the Israeli military is preparing for a large-scale incursion into the Gaza Strip.

This comes amid open discussions within Israeli security circles about “decisively ending” the battle with Hamas and removing it as the dominant force in the territory, according to Israeli military sources.

Mass Mobilization and Internal Protests

Following the announcement of the military expansion, the Israeli army began mobilizing thousands of reservists under emergency call-up orders—marking what is described as the fourth or fifth wave of deployment for some since the war began on October 7.

This intense mobilization has sparked protests among soldiers and their families, with reports highlighting “deep personal and psychological tolls” on the recruits, which could pose an internal challenge for both the government and the military.

Decisive Battle: The Declared Objective

Israeli security sources told the website “Walla” that the upcoming maneuver will differ from all previous operations in terms of scale, objectives, and targeted areas, with a focus on penetrating deep into parts of the strip where the army has never operated before. It will include new axes of attack that may catch Hamas by surprise, and will be conducted by land, sea, and air.

A senior security official said: “The Israeli army is capable of defeating Hamas. The mission will be painful and complex, but achievable—and it is the ultimate goal of the war.”

“Rafah Model”: Field Management Under Fire

As part of its preparations, Israel’s Ministry of Defense is discussing expanding the “Rafah model” to other parts of Gaza, introducing a form of temporary civil administration to coordinate the delivery of humanitarian aid to areas deemed free of Hamas fighters.

Although no agreement has been reached with civilian companies to carry out these tasks, some Israeli military units have begun implementing certain “military administration” mechanisms in areas they control, aiming to maintain partial stability that allows operations to continue without a full collapse of the humanitarian situation.

Upgrading Military Readiness

On the ground, the Israeli army is enhancing its combat readiness by upgrading tank, bulldozer, and armored vehicle systems, and increasing its stockpile of ammunition, heavy weaponry, and advanced arms.

Estimates suggest that the upcoming offensive will involve simultaneous strikes from air, sea, and land across multiple fronts within Gaza.

Meanwhile, Hamas continues adapting to the escalation using unconventional tactics such as tunnels, ambushes, IEDs, and sniper posts, while recruiting thousands of new fighters to replenish its losses.

In response, Israeli engineering and firepower units are preparing to carry out “aggressive” field operations aimed at crippling Hamas’s combat infrastructure and disrupting its ability to maneuver.