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Edited by: Fern Sidman
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have released comprehensive data detailing their extensive operations over the past year in the context of a multi-front war. Since the conflict began exactly one year ago, the IDF has been engaged in simultaneous operations against various groups, including Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Iranian-backed terrorist factions in the Judea and Samaria region of Israel. The publication, which was shared on Monday, calls attention to the scale and intensity of these operations, providing significant insights into Israel’s military strategy and achievements. According to The Jerusalem Post, this is the first full-year assessment of operations in the conflict.
One of the most striking figures in the IDF’s report is the estimated elimination of 14,000 terrorists affiliated with groups such as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. These groups have been key targets of Israeli air and ground campaigns in the Gaza Strip, where intense fighting has continued for months. In northern Israel, the IDF reported eliminating more than 800 Hezbollah fighters, including 90 high-ranking commanders of the Lebanese terror organization. The Jerusalem Post highlighted that this figure illustrates the high level of command decapitation that has been a critical goal of Israeli forces. In addition to these numbers, operations in Judea and Samaria have led to the elimination of nearly 700 terrorists, further showcasing the reach and multi-theater approach of Israel’s counter-terrorism operations.
Let’s unpack this:
1. 41K deaths – considering 17K are Hamas/ PIJ, this is far below the expected civilian casualties in urban war.
2. 53,000 trucks delivered aid, that’s 145 per day – not 69 per day.
3. This war ends the minute Hamas surrenders. #FreePalestineFromHamas— Ariel Paz-Sawicki 🇮🇱🇺🇸 (@ArielSawicki88) October 7, 2024
The IDF’s intelligence and interrogation efforts have also been significant. According to the data, Unit 504—a specialized military intelligence unit—has conducted approximately 7,000 investigations since the war began. These interrogations have resulted in numerous indictments for terrorism, with a particular focus on individuals linked to the October 7th Massacre. The Jerusalem Post report indicated that some suspects are interrogated on-site in Gaza, while others are transferred to Israel for further questioning. The IDF emphasized that those found to have no involvement in terrorist activities are returned to the Gaza Strip, specifically to areas where they are not at risk of harm. This approach highlights the IDF’s commitment to adhering to humanitarian standards while navigating the challenges of wartime intelligence gathering.
Airstrikes have also played a central role in the IDF’s operational strategy. The report indicated that over 40,000 targets in the Gaza Strip have been struck from the air since the onset of the war. The Jerusalem Post detailed that these strikes have destroyed over 1,000 launch sites used by militants, significantly reducing the groups’ capabilities to fire rockets into Israeli territory. Additionally, the IDF has located and neutralized approximately 4,700 terror shafts—tunnels and underground passages used for smuggling and attacks—further crippling the logistical networks of these groups.
In the Judea and Samaria region, the IDF’s Central Command has focused on dismantling terrorist infrastructure, including demolishing about 30 houses belonging to known terrorists. The Jerusalem Post report explained that these demolitions serve both as a deterrent and a means to disrupt future planning by terrorist groups. Beyond this, IDF forces have seized around 1,000 weapons during raids, part of a broader effort to prevent arms from being used in attacks against Israeli civilians and military personnel.
As of October 2, the data shows that Hezbollah targets, in particular, have been a major focus of Israeli air operations, with 4,900 Hezbollah-related sites attacked from the air, out of a total of 6,000 ground targets engaged by Israeli forces. These numbers underscore the intensity of the conflict along Israel’s northern front with Lebanon.
The conflict has been marked by a massive barrage of rocket fire from various fronts. Over the past year, tens of thousands of rockets have been launched at Israeli territory, primarily from Gaza and Lebanon. According to The Jerusalem Post report, 13,200 rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip, while 12,400 were launched from Lebanon, highlighting the persistent threat from these areas. Additionally, 60 rockets originated from Syria, 180 from Yemen, and 400 from Iran, with significant missile attacks occurring in April and early October. These figures reflect the sheer scale of the rocket threat Israel has faced, as well as the diverse sources from which these attacks have come, underscoring the regional dimensions of the conflict.
Throughout this period, the IDF has undertaken rigorous training programs to ensure its soldiers are prepared for the challenges of combat. The Jerusalem Post report noted that hundreds of drills and training sessions were conducted over the past year to maintain the readiness of Israeli forces. In addition to training for combat, the IDF’s medical teams played a crucial role in sustaining the war effort, conducting approximately 4,100 evacuations to treat injured soldiers. These evacuations have been essential in ensuring that Israeli soldiers receive prompt medical care, often under dangerous conditions on the battlefield.
The human cost of the conflict has been profound. The IDF’s report, cited by The Jerusalem Post, states that 726 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the war began, with 346 of those fatalities occurring since Israel launched its ground invasion of the Gaza Strip. This data illustrates the heavy toll that the conflict has taken on Israel’s armed forces, particularly in the intense urban warfare of Gaza, where casualties have been high.
One of the critical aspects of Israel’s military strategy has been its reliance on reserve forces. Over the past year, the IDF called up 300,000 reservists to bolster its ranks, a significant mobilization effort. According to The Jerusalem Post, 82% of these reservists were men, and 18% were women. The majority of the reservists (46.56%) were in their twenties, indicating the youthful nature of the force, while 27.65% were in their thirties, 12.56% in their forties, and smaller percentages in their fifties and sixties. This demographic breakdown highlights the broad cross-section of Israeli society that has been drawn into the conflict, with reservists playing a vital role in sustaining the IDF’s operational tempo across multiple fronts.
The scale of the reserve mobilization also reflects the national scope of the conflict, which has required significant manpower to defend Israel against attacks from Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and even Iran. As The Jerusalem Post report pointed out, this mobilization has been essential for maintaining Israel’s military readiness and ensuring that the IDF can sustain its operations over the long term.
