In a slow and gradual advance, Israel has launched a ground offensive in Gaza, pushing its forces along three main axes. Armoured and mechanised units are moving towards Gaza City from the north, while another column moves along the Mediterranean beaches. A third group is advancing from the east, cutting off the northern section of the Strip. While facts on the ground are difficult to establish, information from both sides and non-combatants suggest that the front lines have shifted. However, both sides’ tactics and operations remain unclear due to the lack of reliable information and the prevalence of propaganda and lies in official announcements.
The rise of social media has allowed for more material from warzones, but caution is needed when accepting the accuracy of videos and photographs. There has been an increase in misleading and false claims, making it challenging for reporters and analysts to determine the plausibility and veracity of information. The complexities of basing a testimony on a single scene or side are illustrated by an example from a previous war, where a hospital complex was hit by smart bombs. While international agencies and TV networks portrayed the attack as a violation of international laws of war, journalists discovered that the attacked side was misusing the hospital as a military facility. This highlights how both sides in a conflict manipulate the media to portray themselves as victims.
Despite ceaseless bombing from the air, the urban war in Gaza has not yet begun in earnest. Both sides appear to be engaging in small-unit probes and brief hit-and-run attacks. The Israeli forces have chosen a slower approach, using dismounted soldiers who follow tanks on foot. This tactic carries higher risks for the infantry but provides greater safety for the tanks. However, a video released by Hamas shows an ambush that destroyed an Israeli tank, possibly using one of the tunnels to approach the Israeli position. This emphasizes the danger posed by the tunnels and foreshadows a bloodier and more protracted stage of the war.
The United States has called for a “significant pause” in the fighting to give hostage release talks a chance, potentially postponing or even avoiding the next stage of the conflict. The situation in Gaza remains tense, with ground battles on the horizon and the potential for further escalation.
