As Hamas shifts to guerrilla warfare, IDF sees attempt to reestablish command centers

Over the weekend, the Israeli Air Force increased airstrikes in the Gaza Strip targeting underground infrastructures and rocket launchers in areas where the IDF has not operated for some time. The military said that several Hamas and Islamic Jihad operatives were also eliminated in the strikes. 

Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad recently attempted to launch rockets into Israeli territory, primarily into the Gaza Envelope. Most of the rockets were intercepted or fell in open areas without causing casualties or damage. Some were launched from within Gaza City, where the IDF has not operated for months. 

The military has focused most of its recent attention on Jabaliya, Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoun, and other areas north of Gaza City, where an increase in Hamas activity was seen at the end of the summer. The IDF has tried to evacuate most of the civilian population in these communities so that it would have greater freedom of operation to destroy Hamas forces in the neighborhoods. 

While the IDF has focused much of its attention on Jabaliya in recent weeks, troops continue to operate in Rafah as well. In the past few days, the soldiers killed several terrorists, dismantled terror infrastructure sites, and located a large number of weapons in the area. 

Senior officials in the Southern Command estimate that Hamas is attempting to restore its command-and-control capabilities in places where the IDF is not actively operating, including parts of central Gaza, some areas within Gaza City, and Khan Younis. While Hamas has not been able to restore the active command structure it had before October 7, 2023, they have managed to restore more organization than existed over the past year. 

Reports in Hebrew media indicate that Mohammed Sinwar, brother of Yahya Sinwar, has been communicating with operatives through handwritten notes. Security officials estimate these written notes, along with messengers passing verbal commands, are the main means of communication between terror cells and the surviving leadership. This is done to prevent the IDF from intercepting the messages and disrupting the coordination between Hamas cells. 

The IDF seems to be strengthening its control over the northern Gaza Strip, which has largely been cleared of civilians, while also expanding its presence in the Netzarim Corridor and the southern Rafah area near the Philadelphi Corridor.

The military estimates that thousands of Hamas fighters remain, now primarily operating as a guerrilla force. They focus on setting booby traps in buildings and targeting forces with mortar, sniper, or RPG attacks.

This shift to guerrilla warfare tactics has transformed the nature of the IDF's operations in the Gaza Strip. 

Currently, the IDF is concentrating its efforts on the northern Gaza Strip, having largely cleared Jabaliya, and is expanding its control toward Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun.

The IDF announced this morning, that Sergeant First Class Idan Kenan, 21, a soldier in the 90th Battalion, Kfir Brigade, fell during combat in northern Gaza. He was reportedly killed by a Hamas sniper in the area between Jabaliya and Beit Lahiya. Kenan’s death brings the number of soldiers killed in the Israeli ground campaign in Gaza to 376.