Gaza's Urban Battle: The Impact of Israel's Explosive Tactics

In the weeks leading up to the October ceasefire, Israel introduced a new weapon to the battlefield in Gaza: M113 Armoured Personnel Carriers loaded with massive amounts of explosives.

The Unusual Weapon

These vehicles, usually used for transporting troops, were repurposed to carry between 1 and 3 tons of explosives, causing widespread destruction in Gaza City.

The Impact

The use of these explosive-laden APCs, along with airstrikes and bulldozers, resulted in the leveling of numerous buildings. While many residents fled ahead of the demolitions following Israeli warnings, some found their homes completely destroyed without any prior notice.

The Case of Hesham Mohammad Badawi

Date: September 14
Location: Tel-al-Hawa suburb
Impact: Five-storey home obliterated
Casualties: 41 family members left homeless
Warning: None given before the blast

The explosion was so powerful that it scattered vehicle fragments hundreds of meters away and could potentially collapse multi-storey buildings.

Military and Legal Perspectives

Military Experts: The use of APCs as bombs is highly unusual and risks excessive damage to civilian dwellings.
Israel's Military: Claims that the demolitions were necessary for operational purposes.
Critics: Argue that the use of such large explosives in dense residential areas may violate principles of humanitarian law.

Extent of Destruction

Buildings Destroyed: About 650 in the Tel-al-Hawa and Sabra districts in just six weeks.
Broader Trend: 81% of Gaza's buildings suffered damage or destruction during the war.

Controversial Tactics

The use of APCs as bombs is not the only controversial tactic employed by Israel in Gaza. The military has also been criticized for the demolition of civilian infrastructure, including:

Towers
Universities
Mosques

While Israel claims that these buildings were used for military purposes, critics argue that the evidence provided is insufficient.

Humanitarian Impact

Displaced People: Hundreds of thousands
Struggles: Destruction of homes and infrastructure has left many struggling to survive.
Questions Raised: The use of such powerful weapons in densely populated areas raises serious questions about the proportionality and necessity of the attacks.