The Nightmare Battle of Fallujah Still Has Lessons to Teach
A veteran of America’s “forever wars” sees parallels between the planned attack on Gaza City and the urban warfare in Iraq.
US Marines patrol the restive city of Fallujah in December 2004.
Photographer: Tauseef Mustafa/AFP via Getty Images
On Aug. 7, the Israeli war cabinet made a controversial decision to continue Israel Defense Forces (IDF) ground attacks against Hamas in Gaza, despite intermittent ceasefire efforts and the ongoing danger to the remaining hostages. The decision has been condemned by many nations, including some — like France, the UK, Canada and Australia — that are generally more sympathetic to Israeli policy.
The security cabinet’s plan specifically targeted Gaza City as part of five objectives: rescuing the hostages; establishing complete security control of the city; demilitarizing all of Gaza; disarming Hamas; and creating a civil administration that excludes both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. Within Israel, the plan has sparked significant opposition and triggered large-scale protests.