Tech-focused Israel strategies for targeting Hamas, as civilians evacuate Gaza City

The Israeli military has declared Gaza city a "dangerous combat zone" as part of its offensive, marking the start of a tech-heavy, fast-paced operation aimed at expediting the capture of the city and defeating Hamas. Soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have begun "preparatory measures" and currently hold the outskirts of Gaza City.

Advanced multidimensional sensors, including thermal imaging, will be used to spot people operating below ground or coming out of the tunnel systems. Drones, covert cameras, and other surveillance systems will also be employed to identify Hamas suspects by their faces and walking gaits. The Israeli military plans to use AI facial recognition systems to distinguish fighters from the civilian population.

Intelligence gathering will be fast and intense, with human sources and signals intelligence from phone intercepts. This comprehensive approach aims to minimise the element of surprise for Hamas, a group that can still rely on forces of about 40,000, despite losing an estimated 13,000 fighters.

The Israeli military is expected to use a large amount of munitions to "blow stuff up" before sending soldiers into harm's way. This strategy is intended to avoid losing troops in ambushes, a common risk in urban warfare. The offensive is likely to be especially human-intensive and put a strain on those involved.

The operations are expected to move at speed, potentially achieving their objectives in Gaza after three weeks of intensive fighting. However, the use of heavy weapons and technology does not guarantee a clean fight. Attacking in a dense city terrain with a million-strong civilian population has drawn strong international condemnation.

As the offensive progresses, hundreds of Gaza city residents have begun evacuating, piling their possessions onto vehicles. A military cordon is being set up around the area to drive the civilian population out, with the promise of food, safety, and shelter in camps on Gaza's south. The remaining one million citizens in Gaza city who are sheltering are expected to face hardships, including famine.

Hamas will continue to attempt to wage guerrilla warfare with the prime objective of inflicting casualties on the IDF. The Yahalom's special forces and dog units have gained experience from previous missions and are prepared for this challenge. The operations are likely to cause psychological casualties, and people will be ground down faster in urban operations.

In light of these developments, the situation in Gaza city remains volatile and uncertain, with both sides bracing for a protracted and intense conflict.

Tech-focused Israel strategies for targeting Hamas, as civilians evacuate Gaza City