A month and a half after the start of the fighting in Rafah, the IDF announced that it controlled approximately 70% of the sector and noted the disintegration of Hamas structures operating in the area. Although the Hamas Brigade in Rafah has not yet been eliminated, “it is not certain that if it gives orders, there will be someone to receive them,” said a senior officer in the area.
The operation began with a limited invasion of forces in the eastern part of Rafah, in the Brazil neighborhood. Simultaneously, the 401st Brigade and the Nahal Brigade broke through most of the Philadelphia axis from the south and virtually surrounded the city from its southern side with almost no resistance. The IDF estimates that the opening blow led to the escape of thousands of terrorists.
“In almost every second house, we find a cache of one type or another,” according to an officer
The Rafah Brigade has around 3,000 terrorists among all its battalions. Since the start of the exercise in Rafah, around 550 bodies have been identified in the area and many more have fled north. Command and control of the brigade remains intact, and there are attempts to reestablish hierarchy and continue area control, with the two remaining battalions in areas where the IDF has not yet operated.
“There is explosive material here that we have never seen elsewhere, neither in Jabaliya nor in Shati, both in quality and quantity,” admits Magad 931
After this first shock operation, the fighting is very slow in the Rafah region for several reasons:
The first is the quantity of ammunition and explosives on site. According to officers, in almost every second house there is a cache of one type or another. Cases of fighters falling in the area are also mainly due to the collapse of a building after a charge has been launched. “There is explosive material here that we have never seen elsewhere, neither in Jabaliya nor in Shati, both in quality and quantity,” admits Magad 931.
Dozens of tunnels have been identified in Rafah as reaching the border with Egypt
The second is the amount of tunnel entrances. Israeli forces found tunnels 360 degrees around them. Dozens of tunnels have been identified as reaching the border with Egypt – this issue is being investigated by the Yalam unit.
The progression of fighting will continue for a long time even when Israel experiences the “transition to phase three”. According to sources on the ground, it will take many more months to defeat the terrorists in this city who are trying to wage a battle for its survival. Optimistic estimates say six months, pessimistic estimates 24 months.
