How the Israel Defense Forces Seek to Defeat Non-State Actors

Abstract

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have been at war with Hizbullah and Hamas, two powerful non-state actors, several times throughout Israel’s history. In the next war, the IDF will seek to gain a decisive and quick victory, by launching a large-scale offensive, and strive to destroy military targets, such as rockets. It will continue to rely heavily on firepower, mostly from the air, while carrying out a limited manoeuvre on the ground to reduce its casualties. Yet, Ehud Eilam argues, a massive ground offensive might be needed with such a buildup being based on the air force, infantry and intelligence. ◼