Israeli forces are closing in on Gaza City as the military prepares for what could become the largest and most consequential operation of its current war against Hamas.
The Israeli Security Cabinet has approved the mission—code-named Gideon’s Chariots B—and has committed up to five Israel Defense Forces (IDF) divisions to the offensive, a scale of mobilization not seen in years.
Military and security analysts warn the operation will be complex, prolonged, and devastating for all involved.
IDF Mobilizes for Urban Combat in Hamas Stronghold
Over 60,000 reservists have been activated as tanks and troops move toward the heart of Gaza City. The operation’s goal is clear: eliminate Hamas’s military capabilities and locate hostages believed to be held within the city and its vast underground tunnel networks.
Urban warfare expert John Spencer, chair of urban warfare studies at the Madison Policy Forum, said the IDF is facing one of the toughest challenges in its history.
“This is the densest location in Gaza. It’s Hamas’s stronghold,” he told Fox News Digital. “And you don’t really know what the tunnels are until you get into them.”
According to Spencer, the IDF is deploying more combat power into Gaza City than has been used across the entire Strip so far.
The military is adapting rapidly, with new tactics involving drones, robots, and specialized tunnel-warfare units. Still, he said, the operation will be “slow, very careful, and costly.”
Tunnel Networks Pose the Greatest Threat
The vast network of Hamas tunnels under Gaza City is central to the group’s defense strategy. Unlike past enemies such as ISIS in Mosul, Hamas can use the tunnels to shift fighters, hide commanders, and even move hostages.
Spencer emphasized the complexity of tunnel clearance, noting that even a surface-level victory leaves a dangerous subterranean battlefield.
Former IDF Gaza Division commander Gadi Shamni warned that even destroyed tunnels can be rebuilt quickly.
“It’s a crowded city with refugee camps, dense neighborhoods, and a highly developed underground,” he said.
“Even when you destroy tunnels, Hamas can rebuild them fast. The longer you stay with more forces, the more opportunities you create for the other side to attack.”
Massive Firepower Expected—But at High Cost
A former senior Israeli security official, speaking anonymously, described the IDF’s strategy as a “destroy everything first” approach—airstrikes, detonating streets, and methodical advancement.
“You are strong, the enemy is weak, and you have patience,” he said, suggesting Israel would rely on overwhelming force to minimize risk to its troops, even at the expense of infrastructure and civilian safety.
The former official predicted a slow-moving “telescopic” offensive, emphasizing that each stage gives Hamas the opportunity to respond or attempt negotiations.
The IDF believes at least 50 hostages are still being held, though only about 20 are presumed alive. Some may be deliberately moved into combat zones to deter strikes. Shamni warned that this tactic poses a significant challenge, forcing Israeli forces to weigh military necessity against the risk to hostages.
