Gaza City, Gaza Strip — In the weeks leading up to a ceasefire on October 10, 2025, Israeli forces deployed a newly adapted weapon: M113 Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) packed with explosives, each weighing between one and three tons. This tactic came into focus as ground troops moved deeper into Gaza City, utilizing these vehicles along with drone strikes and armored bulldozers to devastate urban areas.
As hostilities escalated, video footage and satellite imagery revealed the extensive destruction caused by these improvised bombs. Buildings in densely populated neighborhoods were reduced to rubble, with many residents fleeing in anticipation of Israeli demolitions following warnings. However, not everyone escaped in time, and the fallout has left families displaced and communities shattered.
Among those affected is Hesham Mohammad Badawi, whose home in the Tel-al-Hawa suburb was completely obliterated by an APC explosion on September 14. He describes the moments leading to the demolition as chaotic, with multiple explosions occurring nearby while his family navigated heavy gunfire. Badawi noted that his family of 42 is now split among various relatives and living in tents as they grapple with the loss of their home.
Drone footage taken shortly after the explosion shows the remnants of the APCs scattered among the debris, a stark reminder of the devastation that marked the neighborhood. Badawi’s account, alongside similar testimonies from other residents, indicates that many were unaware of imminent strikes, leading to hurried escapes that felt like “miracles” amid the chaos.
Military experts consulted for this analysis highlight that the makeshift bombs created from APCs emit shockwaves comparable to some of the largest explosive devices in the Israeli arsenal. They estimate that a single explosion could yield a destruction radius capable of leveling entire city blocks, illustrating the profound impact these tactics have on urban warfare.
In conversations with Gaza’s civil defense, officials reported that the military detonated numerous APCs during this period, with estimates suggesting as many as 20 per day. Such unprecedented military strategies have raised eyebrows among experts, noting that the decision to repurpose these vehicles for demolition represents a significant shift in Israeli tactics, potentially leading to excessive civilian damage.
Humanitarian law specialists have weighed in on the legality of these tactics, asserting that deploying such heavy explosives in densely populated areas may contravene international law. The United Nations Human Rights Office has expressed concern over the substantial destruction of civilian infrastructure, emphasizing that allegations of booby-trapping by Hamas do not justify widespread demolitions.
The destruction recorded during this conflict has been staggering, with around 650 structures reported demolished across Gaza City, particularly in the neighborhoods of Sabra and Tel-al-Hawa during the six weeks before the ceasefire. Eyewitness accounts correlate with satellite imagery, documenting extensive damage that many residents liken to the aftermath of an earthquake.
As reports surfaced regarding Israeli strategies, concerns were raised about implying an intent to permanently displace large populations from the area. In response, Israeli officials have reiterated their commitment to military necessity, emphasizing that operational decisions aim to mitigate civilian casualties while pursuing combat objectives.
The implications of these tactics are far-reaching, with urban warfare becoming a focal point of the conflict. The use of repurposed APCs raises questions about future engagements, as military experts and civilians alike call for reassessments of combat strategies that risk exacerbating humanitarian crises.