Islamic Jihad in Gaza: Persistent Rocket Attacks on Israel Highlight Asymmetric Warfare Tactics

Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) CEO Sacha Roytman wrote the following analysis of a new video released by the Gaza-based Palestinian terrorist organization Islamic Jihad:

The Islamic Jihad in Gaza has released a new video today, showcasing the ongoing conflict and the continued rocket attacks against Israel. This footage, coming after nine months of relentless hostilities, underscores the sophisticated asymmetric warfare tactics employed by terrorist groups to sustain a prolonged and damaging conflict.

Insights from the Video

1. Strategic Weapon Storage: The video reveals a systematic approach to weapon storage, with arms stashed throughout Gaza, including within civilian areas and open fields. This strategic dispersion ensures that terrorists maintain a steady supply of ammunition for months or even years. Such tactics complicate efforts to neutralize their capabilities as the weapon caches are embedded within the fabric of civilian life.
2. Extensive Training Programs: The operational proficiency displayed by the terrorists in the video suggests that thousands of operatives from Hamas and Islamic Jihad have undergone extensive training. This indicates a high level of organizational capability and preparedness for sustained military operations, allowing these groups to execute complex attacks and maintain operational momentum.
3. Highly Mobile Launch Systems: The video also highlights the use of highly mobile rocket launch systems. These systems can be quickly deployed and fired from various locations within minutes. The particular launch depicted in the video, from within a civilian area, illustrates the deliberate use of populated zones to complicate counterattacks and exploit civilian shields, thereby increasing the risk to innocent lives and complicating military responses.

Strategic Implications

The persistent challenge for Israel is devising effective countermeasures against this form of asymmetric warfare. Gaza’s terror organizations have ensnared Israel in a strategic dilemma. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are forced to target terrorist infrastructure that is deeply embedded within civilian areas. This situation imposes severe costs on both Gaza’s civilian population — who are exploited by Hamas — and on IDF soldiers, who must meticulously clear areas laden with munitions.

This strategic entrapment also impacts Israel’s international legitimacy. As the IDF is compelled to strike in civilian-populated areas, it faces widespread criticism and condemnation. This not only complicates military operations but also erodes Israel’s standing in the global community, portraying it as an aggressor despite the defensive nature of its actions. The terrorists’ tactics aim to manipulate this perception, creating a cycle where Israel’s efforts to defend itself are used against it in the court of international opinion.

The Islamic Jihad in Gaza released a video today demonstrating that, after nine months of conflict, terrorists continue to launch rockets at Israel. This footage underscores the sophisticated asymmetric warfare tactics employed by these groups to sustain a prolonged and damaging… pic.twitter.com/WgwQUtX5zK

— Sacha Roytman (@SachaRoytman) July 22, 2024