An Israeli writer has drawn a stark comparison between Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza and the United States’ failed war in Vietnam, warning that the Israeli army is sinking deeper into a prolonged and costly guerrilla conflict.
In an opinion piece published by Maariv, journalist Efraim Ganor stated that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are beginning to face the early signs of a Vietnam-style guerrilla war, particularly visible in recent days with the deaths and injuries of several soldiers.
Ganor highlighted the U.S. experience in Vietnam, where it took Washington two decades and the deaths of four million people to realize it was fighting an unwinnable war. Despite America’s overwhelming technological superiority and firepower, it ultimately failed to overcome the persistent guerrilla tactics of the Viet Cong.
“The basic American assumption was that massive pressure and high casualties among the Viet Cong would force them to surrender. In reality, the opposite happened. It was an illusion that cost the United States dearly,” Ganor wrote.
He argued that there are significant parallels between the U.S. war in Vietnam and Israel’s current campaign in Gaza. While Hamas has been weakened since the events of October 6, 2023, it has successfully recruited thousands of new, highly motivated fighters. These recruits are employing classic guerrilla tactics to force Israel into withdrawal.
“This guerrilla war, already at its peak, poses a serious and troubling threat to the fate of our captives held in Gaza,” Ganor warned.
According to him, Hamas is leveraging a vast network of tunnels and underground shafts, many of which remain undiscovered by the IDF. The group’s fighters possess superior knowledge of the terrain, allowing them to exploit Israeli weaknesses and strike effectively.
Ganor noted that each Israeli casualty further intensifies internal divisions in Israeli society. “There is a widening rift between those opposed to continuing the war out of concern for the hostages and those who insist on achieving total victory. This rift is tearing Israeli society apart and weakening its unity,” he said.
He concluded by cautioning that any further entrenchment of the Israeli army in Gaza, or establishment of permanent bases, will only make Israeli forces easier targets for Hamas. “Every step the IDF takes in this direction enhances Hamas’ ability to strike. It is clear that no absolute victory will emerge from this,” Ganor concluded.
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