Israel's Impending Urban Combat: The High Stakes of a Ground Offensive in Gaza

As Israel prepares for a potential invasion of Gaza to crush Hamas, experts warn that the country's troops could face some of the fiercest street-to-street combat since World War II. With Hamas having three to five times as many fighters as the Islamic State had in Mosul, the urban environment, the interaction between fighters and civilians, and political pressures will shape the ground war. The densely packed areas of Gaza City and other urban centers pose significant challenges, including booby-trapped apartments, tunnels, and guerrilla tactics. The Biden administration has sent senior military officers to provide advice to Israel, while urging them to delay the invasion to negotiate the release of hostages and deliver more humanitarian aid.