The world changed in an instant when the United States turned its back on Ukraine. With Washington’s military aid on hold, Britain can no longer assume US troops will stand shoulder to shoulder in future conflicts. If our forces are deployed to Eastern Europe, they may have to fight with fewer allies and stretched resources.
This means one thing: we need to get smarter, faster. And that means learning from those who’ve already been tested in modern warfare. Enter the Israel Defence Forces (IDF).
Since Hamas’s brutal attack on 7th October 2023, the IDF has been engaged in a relentless urban war in Gaza—one that has exposed both strengths and critical vulnerabilities. From drone warfare to battlefield leadership, these lessons are vital for British military planners preparing for the future.
Drones: The New Eyes in the Sky (and the Dangers They Bring)
The IDF’s use of small drones for reconnaissance and attacks proved a game-changer. Even junior infantry units gained an unprecedented edge, using real-time intel to outmanoeuvre enemy fighters. The British Army is already testing Israeli-made drones on Salisbury Plain, assessing their battlefield applications.
But here’s the catch: drones can become a double-edged sword. Israeli troops mistakenly shot down their own UAVs in the chaos of battle, highlighting the risk of drone saturation. The lesson? Without proper coordination, friendly forces can blind themselves. Britain must refine counter-drone tactics, focusing on electronic jamming, short-range air defences, and rigorous training to prevent technological fratricide.
360-Degree Warfare: Fighting in Every Direction
Gaza presented an extreme battlefield: Hamas fighters attacked from tunnels, rooftops, and the skies. The IDF quickly adapted, giving small-unit leaders the power to make fast decisions without waiting for top-down orders.
Britain must embrace this lesson. In urban warfare, rigid command structures will get troops killed. Future conflicts—especially in Eastern Europe—require decentralised leadership, with well-trained junior officers and NCOs making rapid, informed calls in the field. Communication failures should be anticipated, and training must reflect that reality.
Tanks vs. Urban Warfare: The Right Way to Use Armour
In Gaza, Israeli Merkava tanks and Namer armoured personnel carriers (APCs) shrugged off Hamas RPG attacks, until they operated alone. Isolated tanks were picked off in deadly ambushes, proving once again that armour without infantry is a disaster waiting to happen.
The British Army should take note: no Challenger 3 tank should advance without infantry support. Urban battles demand combined-arms teams working in tight coordination. And just as the IDF has equipped its vehicles with advanced Active Protection Systems (APS) to intercept incoming threats, Britain must ensure its armoured fleet is prepared for the kind of anti-tank weapons already being used in Ukraine.
The Ethics of Urban Warfare: A Necessary Reality Check
War in cities isn’t just about strategy, it’s a moral and political minefield. The IDF has used multiple tactics to minimise civilian casualties, from evacuation warnings to precision strikes. Yet Hamas’s use of human shields has made civilian deaths unavoidable, fuelling global outrage.
Britain must be brutally honest: civilian harm is inevitable in urban combat, no matter how many precautions are taken. But failing to prepare for the information war is not an option. Troops must be trained in ethical decision-making, with frontline legal advisors ensuring legitimacy in operations. Every misstep will be seized upon by enemy propaganda, and NATO forces operating in Eastern Europe will be under intense scrutiny.
Special Forces and Conventional Troops: Breaking Down Barriers
One of the IDF’s most effective strategies in Gaza was the seamless integration of special forces with regular troops. Elite commandos tackled Hamas’s tunnel networks, while conventional forces secured the surface above.
The British Army must take this a step further. Special forces and infantry should train together as a matter of routine, ensuring that joint operations are second nature. Intelligence-sharing must be instant and unfiltered, allowing commanders to make snap decisions with the full battlefield picture.
Winning the Information War: Controlling the Narrative
Gaza has shown that war isn’t just fought with bullets, it’s fought with stories. Hamas has expertly manipulated images of destruction to shape global opinion, often distorting events. The IDF, despite taking more measures to protect civilians than most modern militaries, struggled to counter the narrative in real time.
This is a lesson Britain cannot ignore. In an age where every soldier carries a smartphone, the battlefield extends far beyond the frontlines. The UK must develop rapid-response information warfare teams capable of getting the truth out before the enemy’s version dominates the headlines. Factual updates must be released at speed, backed by evidence, to counter disinformation before it gains traction.
The Bottom Line: Adapt or Lose
The world is shifting, and Britain’s Armed Forces can’t afford to be caught off guard. The lessons from the IDF’s fight in Gaza are not just relevant, they’re essential. If British troops find themselves in the urban battlefields of Eastern Europe, these insights could mean the difference between success and failure.
Ignoring them? That’s not an option.
