No Military Operation in Gaza, ONLY DEMOLITION /Lt Col Daniel Davis

Daniel Davis Deep Dive Merch: Etsy store

The IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) has advanced deep into Gaza City, which Israel describes as one of Hamas’s last strongholds. However, the area is still densely populated, with nearly a million civilians present despite hundreds of thousands already fleeing south. Israeli tanks are moving in, and large-scale destruction is underway.

Retired Lt. Col. Daniel Davis analyzed the situation, expressing skepticism about the military logic of Israel’s actions. He argued that what’s happening no longer resembles active combat but rather a systematic destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure and capacity for civilian life. He noted that blowing up buildings doesn’t directly connect to the stated objective of rescuing hostages. Instead, he views it as a destruction mission, eliminating what remains of the city without evidence of significant Hamas resistance.

Davis explained that, unlike in Iraq and Afghanistan where insurgents were engaged in raids and firefights, Gaza now shows little sign of sustained combat. There are no regular battles—only occasional hit-and-run tactics by Hamas. What remains is the methodical disintegration of the Gaza Strip through bombardment and demolitions.

He questioned Israel’s military objectives, particularly the stated aim of destroying Hamas. French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly expressed frustration to Donald Trump, noting that the estimated number of Hamas fighters remains unchanged from two years ago. Davis argued this illustrates a fundamental flaw: military operations that kill large numbers of civilians ultimately create more militants through cycles of revenge. The destruction, therefore, has not reduced Hamas’s strength but risks perpetuating conflict.

His conclusion was stark: the campaign appears less like a military operation to defeat Hamas and more like an effort to render Gaza uninhabitable, leaving civilians with nothing to return to. This, he suggested, is supported by the evidence on the ground, however uncomfortable it may be to acknowledge.