Breaking the mold: Israel’s longest military campaign
Swords of Iron stands as a watershed moment in Israeli military history, fundamentally transforming both the strategic landscape of the region and the nature of urban warfare.
Unlike previous operations in Gaza, which typically concluded within weeks, this sustained year-long campaign has enabled the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to achieve unprecedented strategic depth and operational success.
Launched in response to Hamas’ October 7 attack, the offensive maneuver evolved from an immediate defensive response into Israel’s most comprehensive military campaign, demonstrating both strategic patience and operational sophistication previously unseen in regional conflicts.
The initial phase of the war effort showcased Israel’s overwhelming air power capabilities. Within the first six days alone, the Israeli Air Force deployed approximately 6,000 precision-guided munitions against Hamas infrastructure, a tempo of operations that would have been sustainable only for days in previous conflicts.
Originally posted at allisrael.com
