Gaza: A Secondary Battlefield or a Main Front?
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has been classified by the Israeli military as a 'secondary battlefield,' a term that military expert Wassef Erekat argues is misleading. According to Erekat, this classification aims to mask the Israeli army's failures and does not change the reality on the ground, where the situation remains dire for Palestinians. He emphasizes that the Gaza front is characterized by 'killing, not fighting,' and reflects a significant shift in the Israeli army's operational focus.
Erekat, a retired Palestinian general, believes that the Israeli forces are psychologically and morally defeated, which is evident in their inability to achieve military objectives since the onset of the conflict on October 7, 2023. He notes that the Israeli army's overwhelming focus has shifted towards Lebanon, leaving Gaza in a precarious state. The military expert warns that the classification will not mitigate the suffering of the Palestinian people; rather, it may exacerbate the violence and destruction as the Israeli military struggles to regain its lost prestige.
The toll of the conflict has been catastrophic, with tens of thousands of casualties reported due to relentless bombardments. Erekat highlights the destruction of vital infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, and mosques, as a direct consequence of the ongoing military operations. He criticizes Israeli political leaders, labeling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his ministers as 'madmen' who have led the country into a quagmire, suggesting that the only way out may involve a comprehensive war or a prolonged conflict.
Despite the Israeli army's claims, Erekat asserts that the resistance in Gaza is stronger and more resolute than ever, indicating a shift in the dynamics of the conflict that could have lasting implications for both sides.
