In a recent episode of Hub Dialogues, John Spencer, chair of urban warfare studies at the Modern War Institute, co-director of the Urban Warfare Project, spoke with editor-at-large Sean Speer on the Israel-Hamas war and the challenges that come with a war of this nature and scale.
Here are five takeaways from their discussion.
1. Urban warfare poses particularly complex challenges
“In examining urban warfare today, it’s vital to understand that these conflicts are not the same as traditional wars of the past. In dense urban settings like Gaza, the challenges multiply; you’re dealing with complex environments filled with civilians, underground networks, and embedded threats. Unlike rural combat, where separation between civilians and combatants is clearer, cities create constant risk of collateral damage, amplifying the ethical and logistical complexities. Commanders are tasked with surgical precision under extreme pressures, striving to minimize civilian harm while dismantling an enemy that uses human shields and manipulates media narratives to its advantage.
Israel’s ongoing experience with Hamas highlights the need for new operational approaches and heightened caution. The global audience often focuses only on the destruction without understanding the unavoidable complexities that urban warfare brings, making Israel’s efforts in harm mitigation often misunderstood.”
2. Social media is critical in shaping perceptions
“One of the significant issues is that social media enables instant, often graphic, updates that shape public perception but lack context. People see destroyed buildings and injured civilians, and they assume the worst intentions. They often do not understand the measures that are, in fact, taken to prevent civilian harm. In Israel’s case, much of the condemnation is based on these effects—the visible aftermath—rather than on actions or intentions under the law of war. This is termed ‘effects-based condemnation,’ where judgments are rendered solely on visual impact, ignoring principles like proportionality or military necessity.
Unfortunately, this obscures the genuine attempts to avoid unnecessary harm. Military operations in urban settings are inherently destructive; it’s not possible to have precision without some collateral damage, especially against an adversary actively embedding themselves within civilian populations.”
3. Hamas’ dual nature makes it uniquely difficult to fight
“Hamas operates not just as a militant group but as a governing entity in Gaza, controlling social structures, education, and much of the population’s daily life. They use this position to build a military force that isn’t just defensive but offensive, possessing both conventional military capabilities and guerrilla tactics.
This dual nature means Israel faces an enemy that controls the battlefield on multiple levels. The use of extensive tunnel networks, urban defences, and embedded positions within civilian areas turns Gaza into a fortress of sorts. For Israel, dismantling this structure means overcoming a highly entrenched adversary without causing undue harm to civilians who are often caught in the middle or manipulated by Hamas. This kind of warfare challenges traditional military doctrine, making precision and intelligence gathering as crucial as firepower.”
4. Tunnels and urban spaces are huge tactical advantages
“The strategy of using tunnels and urban areas as defensive advantages has changed modern combat significantly. Tunnels provide concealment and allow for rapid movement and surprise attacks, giving groups like Hamas an advantage despite being outmatched in traditional firepower. For Israel, these tunnels are a strategic challenge requiring a combination of technology, intelligence, and ground operations to locate and neutralize [the enemy].
Urban areas also serve as an asymmetrical equalizer, allowing smaller, less-equipped forces to resist much larger militaries by leveraging the inherent difficulties of city combat. This shift means that militaries worldwide must rethink tactics and strategies, particularly around intelligence and urban-specific technologies, if they are to address the unique complexities that urban warfare brings to the battlefield.”
5. The nature of warfare is shifting
“We see that the nature of warfare is shifting. Israel’s relationship with neighbouring countries and its strategic position has made it a focal point for studying urban conflict and the adaptation to modern threats. This conflict isn’t only about local dynamics but about the broader regional and global implications of urban warfare and proxy engagements.
With nations like Iran openly supporting Hamas and other groups, we are in a proxy war context that escalates the conflict’s scale and stakes. As urban conflict becomes more prevalent, these areas are transformed into high-stakes arenas for geopolitical influence. Israel, defending itself and facing external threats from both state and non-state actors, finds itself in a continuous test of tactical innovation and strategic resilience. This war reflects a broader shift in global conflict dynamics, making understanding and adapting to urban warfare imperative for nations globally.”
You can listen to the full Hub Dialogues episode here.
ChatGPT assisted in the creation of this article.
