Urban Combat Lessons For Western Militaries From Israel's Gaza War

Israel’s war in Gaza has revealed critical lessons for modern militaries as they prepare for future urban conflicts. From drone warfare to urban command and control, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) encountered both successes and challenges that Western forces, particularly in Europe, would do well to study.

Key Facts:

The IDF engaged in intense urban combat in Gaza following Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023.
Israel’s use of drones for reconnaissance and strikes gave infantry an advantage but also led to communication disruptions.
Command-and-control structures had to be adapted to prevent friendly fire and improve small-unit autonomy.
The IDF’s battle tanks, equipped with the Trophy active protection system, proved resilient against Hamas’s anti-tank weapons.
Hamas’s use of tunnels forced Israel to integrate special forces with conventional troops for effective underground warfare.
Israeli air power played a decisive role in neutralizing threats but also faced scrutiny over civilian casualties.
The conflict underscored the importance of real-time intelligence, AI-driven targeting, and countering enemy propaganda.
Cyber operations were used to disrupt Hamas’s communications and bolster Israel’s narrative on the global stage.
Western forces face different threats than Israel but can apply these lessons to future conflicts, particularly in Eastern Europe.

The Rest of The Story:

The IDF’s experience in Gaza highlights the complexities of urban warfare, particularly in an era where both sides rely on advanced technology.

Drones played a crucial role, enabling Israeli forces to scout enemy positions and conduct precise strikes.

However, the widespread use of drones also created challenges—electronic interference and misidentification led to friendly fire incidents, forcing Israel to improve coordination and jamming defenses.

Command and control proved equally critical.

To navigate the dangers of urban warfare, the IDF developed a system of non-contiguous battle zones, allowing each unit its own movement and fire-support corridor.

This approach prevented overlapping fields of fire and friendly-fire casualties while enabling small-unit leaders to make rapid tactical decisions.

Armored vehicles also played a decisive role.

The IDF’s Merkava tanks and Namer armored personnel carriers provided much-needed protection in Gaza’s dense streets.

The integration of the Trophy active protection system allowed Israeli armor to survive close-range RPG attacks, reinforcing the importance of modern tank defenses in urban settings.

However, the IDF learned that tanks must operate alongside infantry to avoid ambushes—a lesson applicable to any military preparing for city combat.

Another key challenge was Hamas’s extensive tunnel network, which enabled fighters to move undetected and launch ambushes.

Israel responded by pairing special forces with conventional troops, allowing elite units to clear tunnels while regular forces secured the streets above.

This integration of forces proved crucial in minimizing threats from underground attacks.

Air power remained dominant in shaping the battlefield.

Israeli fighter jets, attack helicopters, and drones neutralized key Hamas positions, preventing the enemy from massing for counterattacks.

However, the reliance on airstrikes also sparked international criticism, particularly regarding civilian casualties.

This demonstrates the ongoing dilemma of balancing military effectiveness with humanitarian concerns in urban warfare.

Commentary:

Western militaries should closely analyze the IDF’s operations in Gaza, as the lessons learned there will be vital for future conflicts—especially in Eastern Europe, where urban combat could be unavoidable.

Drone warfare is now a permanent fixture of modern battlefields, and Western forces must refine their ability to deploy, counter, and defend against unmanned aerial systems.

This includes developing better electronic warfare capabilities to manage the chaos of competing drone swarms.

Command and control must also evolve.

Decentralized decision-making, flexible unit boundaries, and combined-arms cooperation are key to success in urban combat.

The IDF demonstrated how tactical adjustments—such as keeping armor paired with infantry and integrating special forces with conventional troops—can make a decisive difference.

NATO and allied militaries would be wise to train under similar conditions, ensuring that they can operate effectively in contested cities without suffering from command breakdowns.

Perhaps most critically, intelligence and information warfare will play an increasingly dominant role.

The IDF’s use of AI-driven targeting and cyber operations provided a glimpse into the future of warfare, where real-time intelligence can mean the difference between victory and defeat.

At the same time, adversaries will exploit civilian casualties and misinformation to undermine Western legitimacy.

The ability to rapidly counter propaganda with factual, verifiable intelligence will be just as crucial as battlefield tactics.

The Bottom Line:

The IDF’s war in Gaza has provided a roadmap for modern urban warfare, highlighting both technological advancements and enduring tactical challenges.

Western militaries must absorb these lessons now, before they face similar conflicts in Europe or beyond.

The key takeaway?

Success in future battles will depend on agility, integrated forces, and the ability to dominate both the battlefield and the information war.

Urban Combat Lessons For Western Militaries From Israel’s Gaza War

Key Facts:

Sign Up For The TFPP Wire Newsletter

The Rest of The Story:

Commentary:

The Bottom Line:

Sign Up For The TFPP Wire Newsletter

Read Next