The Israeli army faces its limits in Gaza

BeirutThe Israeli army is advancing on the Gaza Strip, but it is not doing so easily. Since ground operations began in Gaza City, Sheikh Radwan, and Tel al-Hawa, tanks and soldiers have faced destroyed streets, buildings reduced to rubble, and a network of tunnels that makes every move a risky gamble. The Palestinian militias are unrelenting, forcing infantry to maneuver cautiously. Hundreds of thousands of people have been forcibly displaced, and the city is close to catastrophe: without electricity, with limited water, and almost depleted medical supplies. The World Health Organization warns of an increase in deaths from starvation and malnutrition, which now exceed 435 people, including 147 children. Some 700,000 people remain in Gaza City and the northern part of the Strip, despite evacuation orders issued by Israel.

To sustain the offensive, Israel has mobilized tens of thousands of reservists. But the massive mobilization has revealed internal fractures. More than 300 veteran soldiers have signed letters refusing to report to Gaza City if called, citing moral qualms about an offensive they consider disproportionate and dangerous. The debate has resonated deeply in local media and on social media, and some officers acknowledge that the cohesion of certain units has been affected. The Times of Israel The report said these fractures could complicate the army's plans as the operation drags on. The Netanyahu government's goal is for its troops to control the city by October 7, the second anniversary of the Palestinian attacks.

In the homes of the reservists, the war is also felt. A third of families report financial hardship, with fathers, mothers, and workers dependent on the salaries of those at the front with unpaid bills. The government has implemented temporary aid, but the reality of day-to-day life remains harsh, and stress accumulates both in homes and within the army.

On the ground, logistical problems are constant. Maintaining supplies of fuel, ammunition, and food under constant fire and the threat of tunnels is not easy. The high turnover of troops and physical exhaustion make it difficult to hold conquered positions. French officers consulted by this newspaper explain that each advance is measured, that precision attacks and night operations seek to minimize losses, but that they significantly slow the pace of the offensive. Israeli generals had already warned of the difficulties of the battle for Gaza..

Psychological impact

Among the soldiers, the psychological impact is beginning to be felt. Military doctors confirm that An increasing number of troops require care for post-traumatic stress, Anxiety and extreme fatigue. "Some colleagues can't sleep, react with irritability, and suffer anxiety attacks," he explains. Le Monde An infantry officer who asks to remain anonymous. However, the priority remains moving forward. The hierarchy keeps psychological care in the background, while the city remains the immediate objective.

Strategies have had to be adapted on the fly. Drones, precision artillery, and airstrikes combine with street maneuvers to neutralize resistance. Each unit, each young or veteran reservist, faces the dilemma of following orders while living with the fear that a mistake could cost lives. Real-time intelligence has become an essential resource, identifying safe routes and potential ambushes, but there isn't always enough time to plan every move.

International pressure is also tangible. Human rights organizations denounce the humanitarian situation and the number of civilian casualties—more than 65,000 according to the UN—which has sparked debates in Jerusalem about how to balance military objectives and political repercussions. In Israel, media coverage reflects both the difficulty of the operation and the determination of the offensive, fueling a public debate about the sustainability of a conflict that is dragging on longer than expected.

On the front lines, the soldiers' morale varies. Some admit to tension and fear; others rely on discipline and preparation as lifelines. Veteran reservists confess to Hebrew media that, despite fatigue, unity with their comrades and the sense of fulfilling their duty allow them to continue. But uncertainty about the immediate future and casualties among comrades generates a climate of anxiety that does not disappear.

Gaza thus becomes a chessboard where every street, every building, and every tunnel represents a challenge. The army advances carefully, adjusting tactics and resources, while facing internal and external criticism. The combination of mobilization difficulties, soldier exhaustion, internal tensions, and logistical pressure creates a complex scenario that forces Israel to constantly rethink its strategy if it wants to maintain its positions without shattering the cohesion of its forces.

The days in Gaza are not measured only in battles or military advances; they are counted in lives torn away, in empty streets, in buildings that were once homes and are now rubble. Amid the constant noise of attacks and relentless surveillance, soldiers advance, retreat, and withdraw. Each movement reflects military capability but also the human cost that the world watches helplessly. The chronicle of Gaza is not only that of a war; it is that of a genocide, where men, women, and children struggle to survive in cities that have become labyrinths of destruction and despair.