WhatsappWhile Hamas continues to disintegrate throughout Gaza, Hamas has held strong in Jabaliya located in the northern part of Gaza Strip. Days before the US elections and under two weeks before Blinken’s ultimatum to cut aid to Israel kicks in, the IDf has decided to smash Hamas in Jabaliya once and for all.
To take care of Hamas in Gaza’s north, the IDF has now sent the Kfir Brigade to uproot from the entire area. Civilians have long vacated and the Hamas fighters there have begin to run out of munitions, but the tunnel system has largely stayed intact, which means Kfir still has plenty to do.
Jabliya’s fall would mean the end of the war in Gaza’s north. While there will still be mop of operations to carry out, the IDF will clear out the rubble and construct observational points within the strategic area. The key to Gaza’s north is the strangling out of any terror factions there and that means a permanent IDF presence – complete with sterile corridors similar to Netzarim that cuts Gaza in two.
The IDF must ensure a permanent buffer zone within Gaza, protecting Israel’s Kibbutzim to the Strip’s East, but also a three km buffer zone in the Gaza Strip’s north that will protect Ashkelon from attack. The pacification of Jabaliya and IDF control over the area is key to this. By finishing of Hamas in Gaza’s north, the IDF can take full control of the humanitarian supply route, keeping it out of Hamas’ hands. While this may not pacify the American administration, it gives Israel the ability to solidify its control of the northern half of Gaza before the next American administration takes over.
