A number of reports talk about the possibility of the Israeli army launching a ground attack on the Gaza Strip, as part of a response to the infiltration operation carried out by the Hamas movement on Saturday, in which more than a thousand Israelis were killed.

The fighting between the Israeli army and Hamas tends to follow a similar pattern, with ground incursions launched over the years, at different levels, usually preceded by heavy bombardment targeting areas and positions that the Israelis use to approach.

Israel also made extensive use of air power and bombardment from land artillery and naval gunboats in the first phase of the campaigns to target what it says is Hamas' military infrastructure, including government buildings, police stations, coastal facilities, training facilities, and the homes of senior officials. According to a report by The Guardian newspaper.

But while Israel has a significant advantage in terms of the size of its military forces, technology, weapons systems, and logistics, Hamas has adapted significantly over the years to take advantage of Gaza's dense urban environment.

How will geography affect any fight?

The geographic nature of Gaza limits Israeli operations, which is why the IDF tends to use the same approaches, according to the Guardian report.

There are rural areas of agricultural land next to the Erez crossing in the far north of Gaza, around Bureij south of Gaza City, where there is a line of hills overlooking central Gaza, and to the east of Khan Yunis in the south, where tanks and armored vehicles can move more easily. There is another access point around Philadelphia Road near Rafah in the far south.

In the past, Israel used sites overlooking central Gaza; To try to cut off communications between Gaza City and the south and other places to divide the region.

Hamas and other factions in Gaza realize that these roads can be used by Israeli forces, and they will have defensive lines in these areas that were the scene of violent fighting in the past.

As the sandy countryside turns into urban areas, the terrain becomes more difficult for Israel. High-rise residential buildings in places such as Jabalia and Beit Lahia overlook the northern entrances to Gaza City, while the main north-south road borders industrial areas that Hamas used as defensive points in the past.

The terrain in central Gaza and east of Khan Yunis is more open, but the villages and high-rise buildings along the access roads provided cover for Hamas.

Will the Israelis enter the major cities?

Israeli forces were subjected to violent confrontations as they attempted to advance into major urban centers. Hamas and other factions possess anti-tank mines and anti-tank guided missiles, which they have used effectively with mortar shells.

On one of the nights of fighting in the Shujaiya area built during the 2014 war, Israel lost 13 soldiers in an ambush that included an anti-tank mine and machine gun fire.

While the Israeli army has experience fighting with armor in Palestinian cities, not least in the West Bank, during the Second Intifada, Hamas is believed to now possess a large stock of Kornet anti-tank missiles, which have been used effectively, including by “ Hezbollah” in Lebanon against Israeli main battle tanks.

The movement has also developed drones equipped with munitions of the type widely used in Ukraine, which can drop bombs on vehicles and troops, a new threat.

How will Hamas respond?

Hamas has years of experience fighting the Israeli army, and has become an effective and adaptable urban force. It has a core of experienced combat commanders, who have intimate knowledge of the Israeli way of fighting, some of whom are Hebrew speakers who have studied the Israeli army in depth.

One of the main problems facing Israel in any attempt to launch a ground attack is that it will have to confront equipped Hamas positions, including combat tunnels that have been developed extensively over the years, and in some cases equipped with communications systems.

While Hamas's tunnel networks were once primitive, its engineers now have great experience in building fortified and well-hidden underground sites to be used as command centers and to deploy fighters from, according to the Guardian report.

While Israel once had a clear surveillance advantage over Gaza, cheap and readily available civilian drones acquired by Hamas have leveled the playing field, allowing it to monitor Israeli lines as well.

Can Israel reoccupy Gaza?

While Israel may have the military capacity and will after Saturday's attack, the cost is likely to be high for the IDF and Palestinian civilians, with danger to Israeli hostages being held in the area.

A complete re-occupation of Gaza would constitute a profound challenge that may exceed Israel's ability to manage it in the long term, which indicates that if Israel undertakes a full invasion, its goal will most likely be a comprehensive defeat of Hamas.

From Al Sharq Al Awsat