Hamas adopts guerilla tactics in recent attack in Gaza

CNN —

The recent attack in Gaza occurred in an unexpected location.

On Monday night, a group of Israeli soldiers walked along a route used by tanks and armored vehicles approximately one mile from the border fence when a bomb detonated.

The bomb, operated remotely, impacted troops from the Netzah Yehuda battalion, a unit composed of ultra-Orthodox soldiers.

Additional Israeli forces arrived as a second remotely operated bomb detonated. A third explosion occurred shortly afterward, accompanied by small arms fire from a Hamas cell positioned nearby.

Within minutes, five Israeli soldiers were killed and 14 wounded, some with critical injuries.

The attack took place in Beit Hanoun, located in Gaza’s northeast, visible from the Israeli city of Sderot, in territory under Israeli military control.

An initial investigation determined that the Hamas cell placed the bombs within the previous 24 hours, preparing an ambush for Israeli forces, who may have believed the area was secure due to its proximity to Israeli territory.

The attack demonstrates a shift by Hamas to guerilla-style tactics as the group conducts an insurgency campaign against the Israeli military. Despite reduced capacity, Hamas has continued to conduct attacks against Israeli forces in Gaza. Israeli forces have returned to areas of Gaza multiple times as Hamas reappears in locations previously cleared by Israel. The recent attacks indicate that Israel’s objective of eliminating Hamas has not yet been achieved.

Smoke and debris rise following an Israeli airstrike in northern Gaza near Beit Hanoun on Thursday. Atef Safadi/EPA/Shutterstock

Hamas’ military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, stated that Monday’s attack occurred “in an area the occupation thought was safe after leaving no stone unturned.”

In a statement, Hamas described the conflict as a “battle of attrition” against Israel, and referenced efforts to capture additional soldiers during the October 7 attacks.

“Even if it miraculously succeeded recently in freeing its soldiers from hell, it may fail later, leaving us with additional prisoners,” Hamas said.

On Wednesday, Hamas militants targeted an Israeli military engineering vehicle in Khan Younis, launching a rocket-propelled grenade and approaching the vehicle as the driver attempted to leave, as shown in a video released by Hamas. According to the Israeli military, the militants attempted to abduct the soldier, resulting in his death. Israeli forces in the area prevented the abduction. In a statement posted on Telegram two days later, the Al-Qassam Brigades stated, “the fate of the next soldier will be better as our new prisoner.”

The ongoing conflict in Gaza differs from Israel’s recent operation in Iran, which was conducted by air and land without reported Israeli military casualties. Since the end of the 12-day Israel-Iran conflict, at least 19 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), including those in the Beit Hanoun attack.

On the day of the Israel-Iran ceasefire, a Hamas militant used an incendiary device on an armored engineering vehicle in southern Gaza, resulting in the deaths of seven soldiers inside. This was one of the deadliest incidents for the IDF in Gaza in recent months.

Former IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi stated in January that Israel had killed 20,000 Hamas fighters since the beginning of the conflict. Israel has also targeted much of Hamas’ leadership. However, Hamas has recruited new fighters, according to a senior Israeli military official. In March, Israel’s public broadcaster Kan News reported that Hamas had recruited “hundreds” of new fighters.

Currently, Hamas operates as a loosely organized group of cells capable of conducting hit-and-run attacks, using Gaza’s tunnel network for movement and concealment, according to Retired Maj. Gen Israel Ziv, former head of the IDF’s Operations Directorate.

Hamas has observed IDF operations and adapted its tactics, Ziv told CNN.

“Their war is built around our weaknesses. They don’t defend territory — they seek targets,” he said.

Ziv stated that the strain on Israel’s military manpower has allowed Hamas to exploit vulnerabilities.

“Hamas has undergone a transformation — it has become a guerrilla organization operating in small cells. It has an abundance of explosives, much of it from the munitions the IDF has dropped there. This is a war of IEDs. Hamas is creating ambushes and taking initiative by controlling key bottlenecks,” said Ziv.

Operating as decentralized, independent groups has made it more difficult for Israel to target a unified leadership structure. Last month, an Israeli military official told CNN that it has become more challenging to target remaining Hamas elements.

“It’s harder now to achieve tactical goals,” the official said.

Hamas has used most of its rocket arsenal and now launches sporadic rockets with limited impact. However, the group continues to use improvised explosive devices, made from Israeli munitions, and moves among the damaged areas of Gaza.

Hamas faces challenges from armed groups in southern Gaza and from segments of the population expressing opposition. The group continues to conduct attacks against Israeli forces.

Negotiations continue in Doha, but a ceasefire has not been reached, as mediators have not resolved key differences. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated during a recent visit to Washington, DC, that Hamas must disarm and relinquish military and governing authority, or Israel will continue military operations.

Hamas has not agreed to these terms in negotiations, and recent attacks indicate the group retains operational capacity.