In the long-standing armed conflict between Israel and Palestine, an Israeli ground assault in Gaza is a real and frightening possibility. This article will attempt to shed light on what an Israeli ground assault in Gaza looks like by examining the events of the 2014 Israeli ground assault in Gaza, commonly referred to as Operation Protective Edge.
On July 8, 2014, the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Protective Edge, which was initiated with a bombardment of air strikes that lasted for seven week. This was followed by a full-scale ground invasion of Gaza that left 2,251 Palestinians dead, including 1,462 civilians, and 72 Israeli soldiers. The aim of the operation was to damage the military capabilities of Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups in the Gaza Strip.
The first phase of the ground assault was characterized by heavy shelling and airstrikes intended to disorient and cripple Hamas and other groups in the area. As the Israelis advanced into the urban areas of Gaza, they employed a variety of tactics, most notably “combat engineering and firefights.” Combat engineering is an Israeli military tactic that consists of digging trenches and using barricades to maximize defensive positions and prevent enemy movement.
The Israeli army also employed a controversial tactic called “roof knocking,” whereby Israeli soldiers would fire low caliber projectiles at the roofs of buildings to warn civilians to evacuate the area prior to the ground assault. This tactic has been criticized as symbols of excessive force and intent to cause property damage.
The second phase of the ground assault was accompanied by an extensive use of small arms and shoulder-mounted rockets. In densely populated residential areas, these methods greatly increased the chances for civilian casualties. In addition, the Israelis employed “scorched earth” tactics, which largely consisted of the indiscriminate shelling and destruction of buildings, infrastructure, and people in the area.
Since the end of the 2014 ground assault in Gaza, the situation for Palestinians has remained highly volatile. In the five years since Operation Protective Edge, Palestinians have faced increased economic hardship and violence from Israeli forces. Just as importantly, the lives, memories, and histories of those affected by the ground assault will remain with the people of Gaza for years to come.