The Times of Israel Daily Briefing Day 609 - 10 truths about the Gaza war, 20 months in
Jun 6, 2025
Joining the discussion is Lazar Berman, a diplomatic reporter for The Times of Israel, recently returned from reserve duty and author of an insightful piece on the Gaza war. He shares ten critical truths about the conflict, including the effectiveness of military strategies and the ethical dilemmas faced during hostage negotiations. The conversation dives into the need for a sustainable vision for Gaza's future and reflects on Hamas's tactical resilience. Berman also contemplates the broader implications for Israeli society amid the ongoing conflict.
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Lazar's Gaza Combat Experience
- Lazar Berman described his role in Gaza as part of a new offensively minded IDF unit focusing on urban combat.
- His unit's mission included securing humanitarian fund distribution sites with limited opportunities for offensive actions.
Israel's Preparedness Against Hezbollah
- Israel's success against Hezbollah stemmed from taking its capabilities seriously and prioritizing intelligence.
- Effective force design and innovative operations underpinned Israel's preparedness compared to unpreparedness in Gaza.
Gaza War Slow and Halting
- Israel entered the Gaza campaign unprepared with no recent invasion plans and poor intelligence.
- The careful, slow, stop-start offensive limited success and signalled to Hamas that major efforts might be limited.
