Israel employs a counterinsurgency strategy known as mowing the grass, characterized by repeated strikes to degrade insurgent capabilities. Israel´s strategy remains the same, but the tactics used in urban counterinsurgency operations have changed. By comparing operations from 2002 and 2023 using reports and news articles combined with a theory of strike, move and protection. This study aims to describes the tactical development in Israeli tactics and methods during counterinsurgency operations in urban terrain in the city of Jenin.
The findings describe a change in Israeli tactics and methods. There is a reduction in the use of armored vehicles and a decreased use of heavy mechanized destruction. Furthermore, the empirical material suggests a reduction in the tactical exploitation of non-combatants. Traditional methods have been scaled back with an increased use of loitering munitions and precision strikes. However, the study suggests methods used to enable mobility for ground troops remain crucial for mission success. Lastly, there are indications of an increased use of non-lethal tactics.