Colonel John Spencer - The Best Military Breakdown of The Gaza War You Will Ever Hear

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Oct 11, 2025

Colonel John Spencer, a former U.S. Army officer and urban warfare expert, delivers an incisive analysis of the Israel–Hamas conflict. He clarifies that the October 7 attack was a well-coordinated military operation with Iranian backing. Spencer dissects Hamas' innovative tactics, such as tunnel warfare and using civilian shields, while discussing Israel's unique strategies to minimize civilian harm. He tackles the complexities of regional dynamics and the humanitarian challenges in Gaza, outlining the daunting trade-offs between military objectives and humanitarian needs.

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INSIGHT

October 7 As A Coordinated Invasion

October 7 was both a large terrorist attack and a coordinated military-style invasion by Hamas with preplanned objectives.
Intelligence and planning tied to Iran and Hezbollah show it was broader than a spontaneous terror strike.

INSIGHT

Deliberate 'Blinding' Measures On October 7

Hamas deliberately blinded Israeli defenses by disabling cameras, cell towers and overloading emergency lines.
These measures plus rehearsals and targeted ambushes produced nationwide confusion and delayed Israel's response.

INSIGHT

Scale Of Hamas Military Capabilities

Hamas fielded tens of thousands of fighters and roughly 20,000 short-range rockets, many locally manufactured in Gaza.
Rocket warheads were low-yield and imprecise, but large quantities made them a serious threat.

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In this episode of The Winston Marshall Show, I sit down with Colonel John Spencer, one of the world’s leading experts on urban warfare, to break down the brutal realities of the Israel–Hamas war.

Spencer explains how the October 7 invasion was more than a terror attack – it was a coordinated military operation, backed by Iran and linked to Hezbollah. He describes in detail how Hamas used tunnel networks, IEDs, and human shields to wage war inside Gaza, deliberately drawing civilians into the battlefield to create global outrage against Israel.

We discuss the IDF’s strategy, from their full-scale ground invasion on October 27 to the unprecedented measures taken to warn and evacuate civilians – even at the cost of prolonging the war. Spencer also reveals why Gaza has become the first modern “tunnel war”, why snipers and booby-trapped homes shaped the conflict, and how Israel managed to hold off threats across multiple fronts, from Hezbollah in Lebanon to Iran itself.

This is a rare, insider military analysis of the Gaza war – exposing the tactics, strategies, and propaganda battles that most of the media ignore.

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Chapters

0:00 Introduction

4:27 Coordination of the October 7 Invasion

8:17 Hezbollah's Role and Hamas' Strategy

21:08 Hamas' Military Capabilities and Tactics

35:14 IDF's Response and Strategic Decisions

56:56 The Evolution of the Conflict and Hamas' Survival

1:05:01 The Impact of Foreign Military Aid

1:11:52 The Role of Egypt and Humanitarian Considerations

1:15:25 Vaccination Campaigns and Perceptions in Gaza

1:25:19 Humanitarian Aid and Hamas' Control

1:41:56 Jordanian and Egyptian Aid Efforts

1:45:47 Resistance Within Gaza

1:54:20 The Trump Peace Plan

1:59:49 Hamas' Incentives and Challenges

2:10:08 Netanyahu's Leadership During the War

2:13:09 Final Thoughts and Future Outlook

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