War on the Rocks
Tech, Ethics, and the City in Israel's Looming Urban Battlefield
Oct 13, 2023
In this episode, Ryan talks with John Amble about the challenges Israel faces in urban warfare. They discuss Israel's urban warfare training facilities, comparisons with battles in Fallujah and Mosul, and how Hamas overwhelmed Israel's preparations. They reflect on Islamist militant groups that have shocked the world and better-prepared armies.
30:35
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Quick takeaways
- Urban warfare presents unique challenges due to dense infrastructure and population, requiring the IDF to employ combined arms tactics and coordinate their forces in Gaza.
- The recent conflict between Israel and Hamas highlights the limitations of relying solely on technology in warfare and emphasizes the need for political context, strategy, and adaptation in armed forces.
Deep dives
The Challenge of Urban Warfare
Urban warfare presents unique challenges due to the dense infrastructure, population, and presence of combatants and noncombatants. The Modern War Institute has been studying urban warfare, particularly in the context of Israel. Israel, being a small country with specific defense scenarios, has developed expertise in urban operations. However, the IDF is likely to face unexpected challenges despite its training, as Hamas has been governing Gaza for years, creating defensive positions and a network of tunnels. Additionally, the IDF's plan to send a large number of soldiers into heavily urbanized Gaza demonstrates their intention to neutralize Hamas' military capability completely.
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