Analysis: Hamas’ Surprise, and the Failure of the Gaza Barrier Concept
When Israel is done licking its wounds from the horrific events that began 24 hours ago, which are still going strong, it must establish a brand new defense strategy concerning the Gaza border
Ami Rojkes Dombe
| 08/10/2023
A view of the debris in the aftermath of rocket barrages that were launched from Gaza, in Ashkelon, Israel October 7, 2023. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
On Saturday morning, October 7th, Hamas surprised Israel with a sudden attack against Israeli towns surrounding Gaza. Toyota vehicles and motorcycles crossed the border, heading towards IDF bases in the surrounding area and communities in the region. The military presence in the area is poor – the Israeli intelligence had no prior knowledge. Zero alerts for an event of this magnitude.
In the next hours, the terrorists spread into kibbutzim and villages (moshavim) with little resistance from the IDF, and without emergency squads. In some kibbutzim, the terrorists obtained full control. There were casualties, injuries, and abductions, all documented in real-time on social media platforms like Telegram and Twitter.
It took the Israeli army hours to reach the combat zone in the Israeli area adjacent to the Gaza border. In some communities, residents barricaded themselves while hearing gunfire all around. Hamas terrorists entered every house they could.
As of the time of writing, IDF units are still securing communities in the vicinity. Reservist call-ups have begun in preparation for an operation in Gaza. There is a quiet, heightened tension in the southern region, the Lebanon border, and within Israel itself, fearing further events related to Operation Guardian of the Walls.
The streets of Israel’s cities are quiet, and transportation routes are empty. Israeli citizens are gathered in front of screens, trying to understand how in 2023, with all the technology and declarations of having the world's best army, they were caught by strategic surprise. For the victims of this Hamas attack, the world will never be the same.
Today's events come after the IDF and the security system claimed that the underground and above-ground Israel-Gaza BArrier, along with various means installed on the Gaza border in recent years, provided a number of defense lines.
Well, this entire concept has failed.
The outposts were breached (some videos show Hamas controlling the outposts), border fences were ripped, the secondary forces that were supposed to support the first line were absent, and the terrorists easily reached the settlements in the surrounding area. The only obstacles were the yellow gates at the entrance to the various communities and their own preparedness, as far as they had any. Many of those kibbutzim and moshavim were breached in the end.
There is no doubt that once Israel is done licking its wounds, the IDF will have to consider a brand new defense strategy for the Gaza border.
When Israel is done licking its wounds from the horrific events that began 24 hours ago, which are still going strong, it must establish a brand new defense strategy concerning the Gaza border
A view of the debris in the aftermath of rocket barrages that were launched from Gaza, in Ashkelon, Israel October 7, 2023. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
On Saturday morning, October 7th, Hamas surprised Israel with a sudden attack against Israeli towns surrounding Gaza. Toyota vehicles and motorcycles crossed the border, heading towards IDF bases in the surrounding area and communities in the region. The military presence in the area is poor – the Israeli intelligence had no prior knowledge. Zero alerts for an event of this magnitude.
In the next hours, the terrorists spread into kibbutzim and villages (moshavim) with little resistance from the IDF, and without emergency squads. In some kibbutzim, the terrorists obtained full control. There were casualties, injuries, and abductions, all documented in real-time on social media platforms like Telegram and Twitter.
It took the Israeli army hours to reach the combat zone in the Israeli area adjacent to the Gaza border. In some communities, residents barricaded themselves while hearing gunfire all around. Hamas terrorists entered every house they could.
As of the time of writing, IDF units are still securing communities in the vicinity. Reservist call-ups have begun in preparation for an operation in Gaza. There is a quiet, heightened tension in the southern region, the Lebanon border, and within Israel itself, fearing further events related to Operation Guardian of the Walls.
The streets of Israel’s cities are quiet, and transportation routes are empty. Israeli citizens are gathered in front of screens, trying to understand how in 2023, with all the technology and declarations of having the world's best army, they were caught by strategic surprise. For the victims of this Hamas attack, the world will never be the same.
Today's events come after the IDF and the security system claimed that the underground and above-ground Israel-Gaza BArrier, along with various means installed on the Gaza border in recent years, provided a number of defense lines.
Well, this entire concept has failed.
The outposts were breached (some videos show Hamas controlling the outposts), border fences were ripped, the secondary forces that were supposed to support the first line were absent, and the terrorists easily reached the settlements in the surrounding area. The only obstacles were the yellow gates at the entrance to the various communities and their own preparedness, as far as they had any. Many of those kibbutzim and moshavim were breached in the end.
There is no doubt that once Israel is done licking its wounds, the IDF will have to consider a brand new defense strategy for the Gaza border.
