Past Israeli Ground Operations & the Limits of Israeli Military Power

Update on the conflict in the Middle East for October 22, 2023 (Sunday)

– Even before Israel’s ground operation begins, it is requesting scarce artillery ammunition from the US who is diverting it from Ukraine;

– Israeli ground operations in 2006 against Lebanon and 2008-2009 and 2014 in Gaza provide possible insight into the limits of Israeli military power ahead of a potential ground incursion into Gaza now;

– Israel may be able to occupy northern Gaza but will push the limits of military power, its logistical support both domestically and via the US, as well as risk political stability within Israeli society;

References:

Politico – Biden plans $100B aid request for Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan and border (October 19, 2023):
https://www.politico.com/live-updates…

Telegraph – US to send Israel thousands of artillery shells earmarked for Ukraine (October 20, 2023):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-new…

The Times of Israel – IDF: Multiple rocket launcher used to target Hamas in Gaza for first time since 2006 (October 11, 2023):
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblo…

World Health Organization – Evacuation orders by Israel to hospitals in northern Gaza are a death sentence for the sick and injured (October 14, 2023):
https://www.who.int/news/item/14-10-2…

Al Jazeera – Why Israel’s bombardment of Gaza neighborhood left US officers ‘stunned’ (2014):
http://america.aljazeera.com/articles…

Washington Post – What a ground war in Gaza could look like (October 20, 2023):
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/…

Haaretz – Massive Artillery Shelling May Have Caused Numerous Civilian Fatalities in Gaza (August 2014):
https://www.haaretz.com/2014-08-15/ty…

The Hill – 5 major risks looming over Israel’s ground offensive (October 21, 2023):
https://thehill.com/policy/defense/42…