The IDF has achieved significant gains in the Gaza Strip, particularly over the past year, during which it created a well-oiled machine for locating, mapping, and destroying terrorist infrastructure above and below ground.
As a result, the IDF currently controls between 65% and roughly 70% of the Gaza Strip, depending on whom you ask.
At the same time, Southern Command chief Maj.-Gen. Yaniv Asor, who will soon compete for the position of deputy IDF chief of staff, advanced a very clear policy of thwarting terrorism through airstrikes. The strikes are directed at anyone who took part in October 7, with an emphasis on operatives who crossed the border into Israeli territory, as well as those currently advancing terrorist activity against Israel and rebuilding the capabilities of Hamas's military wing.
This involves a combination of precise intelligence from the Shin Bet (Israeli Security Agency), which does not receive proper credit for its achievements, intelligence from the IDF Intelligence Directorate, and aerial firepower capabilities. A senior officer told Walla that "this is high-quality intelligence and the exploitation of operational opportunities."
However, in recent weeks, amid pressure from new Hamas leader Khalil al Hayya, as well as Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates on the US, there has been a significant shift in the approach toward Israeli activity in the Gaza Strip.
Israel approves task force entry into Gaza before Hamas disarmament
First, the Israeli government gave in to US pressure and approved the entry of approximately 200 members of a multinational force into the Gaza Strip before Hamas had disarmed and transferred responsibility to the technocratic government.
Shortly after criticism emerged from within the defense establishment over the pragmatism the government showed toward US President Donald Trump's peace plan, while ignoring Hamas's ability to rebuild and reestablish itself in the Gaza Strip, particularly its military wing, a decision was made to completely halt targeted killings in the Gaza Strip, without presenting alternatives.
On this issue, criticism can be directed at the Israeli government, which insisted on preventing the Palestinian Authority from becoming involved in the Strip, and, on the other hand, at the policies of Trump, envoy Nikolay Mladenov, and the technocratic government, which are rushing to rehabilitate the southern Gaza Strip.
They have done so without presenting a strong framework capable of preventing Hamas from returning to rule the entire strip, including the area that is supposed to be "terror-free" in the Rafah area. In practice, what is happening is that the US and Israeli policy are allowing actors hostile to Israel, such as Qatar and Turkey, to expand their influence in the Gaza Strip and over Israel.
New Rafah construction by US makes no sense, experts say
The US approach to the establishment of the new city in Rafah is also raising questions among professionals. According to them, the quality of the buildings and infrastructure, and the speed at which the Americans want contractors to complete them, make no sense and are inconsistent with the idea of establishing a municipal system capable of absorbing 50,000 Palestinians who are not involved in terrorism.
As if that were not enough, it was learned that a Nukhba operative who was directly involved in October 7 was arrested near the Kerem Shalom Crossing by the Shin Bet and the IDF after receiving authorization to work as a driver transporting humanitarian aid.
An analysis of the developments surrounding the Gaza Strip suggests that the government's policy in Gaza is beginning to become dangerous and could lead to further negative developments.