[gingertanker]

1)As for IRG, all I heard were rumors. They obviously have strong ties with Hammas, but I did not hear of solid evidence that they were present during the operation.

2) Frankly from what I heard, the level of tenacity and training on the Hammas side was pretty much what we expected. They have become better trained and armed over the last decade and as a result keep fighting longer and harder. This is bad but also good, because as a result they also die in larger numbers. The more they try to be a standing army, the easier it is to find and hurt them. During the final stages of the operation the gloves went off and indeed in some places where they faced massed armored formations and air attacks they either fled or surrendered.

I think both sides were surprised by certain technical and tactical aspects of the enemy. Hammas surprised Israel with its offensive use of the tunnels. We knew they are there but I think the way they were used, aggressively and with such boldness was a surprise to the IDF generals. We also did not expect, I believe, the massive use of mortar fire towards the final stages of the operation.

Hammas was also surprised by the IDF in several ways. First- the technological ability of Iron Dome matured, and now very much negates Hammas's mid and long range use of rockets against civilian targets. Second- Trophy also matured, and basically negated the ability of Hammas ATGM teams to engage and destroy IDF tanks. To a point that sniper and mortar fire was far more dangerous to tank crews than AT weapons. I also think Hammas did not expect the sheer force used in the last 2 weeks of the operation- specifically the air bombardment of Rafiach and Sajaye. Even the extent and depth of the ground operation took them by surprise i believe.