Nearly Every Building Rigged: Hamas Shifts Tactics as North Gaza Falls to the IDF

As its fighters attempt to flee northern Gaza and those who are remaining struggle to maneuver in the area, Hamas has pivoted its combat strategy to booby-trapping almost every structure that remains standing.  

This military approach has become a threat to the IDF troops operating in the local combat zones. Hamas terrorists are struggling to move within Jabalya, Beit Lahia, and Beit Hanoun due to the IDF’s aggressive operations in these areas. 

Hamas realizes it is at an operational disadvantage. Most tunnels have been destroyed or rendered unusable. However, there is still an “estimated 40% of the tunnels still remaining, hundreds of kilometers of tunnels the Israeli intelligence was not aware of,” according to Yoni Ben Menachem, an expert on Middle Eastern affairs from the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs.

Nevertheless, most terrorists are attempting to flee from Jabalya and the northern Gaza Strip to Gaza City. The IDF has struck hundreds of them over the past week and the terrorists now operate by rigging traps in nearly every standing structure. This is typically done by hiding explosives inside closets or other furniture to harm troops conducting searches. 

Additionally, the buildings are stocked with weapons, including rifles, anti-tank launchers, and grenades. (JPost/VFI News)