14 Characteristics of the Operational Environment 4. The enemy has changed its use-of-force characteristics posing new challenges to the IDF: a. A decrease in the threat from regular state militaries and an increase in that of sub-state organizations, either irregular or semi-regular, supported by Iran. These organizations are striving to become state entities. This means, a decrease in the threat of invading Israel’s territory, while maintaining the threat of limited penetration for terrorist activity or for public relations’ achievements. b. An increase in the threat of fire on the home front (characterized by: capacity, accuracy, warhead size, survivability), and an attempt to pose a strategic threat to national vulnerable sites and the national economy. All this while maintaining a constant effort to ensure survivability of the firing array through decentralization, concealment, protection and use of civilian environments, in order to provide bargaining abilities and a "victorious image". c. The enemy's deployment and assimilation within populated civilian areas. This phenomenon strives to imposes difficulties upon the IDF's combat operations, increase harm to uninvolved civilians and limit the IDF's freedom of action. d. Combat capabilities (IEDs, ground-to-ground rockets, AT, SAM, shore-to-sea missiles, electronic warfare, and underground warfare) intend to deter and disrupt the IDF's efforts on land, sea and air, to offset its technological advantages, to maximize civilian and military casualties, and increase strategic pressure on Israel. e. A multi-dimensional approach during combat and in between wars, includes: cyberattacks, PR and legal efforts, and terror activities in Israel and abroad, such as: abducting civilians and soldiers for bargaining purposes. 5. Operational Capabilities: a. The costs of the IDF's means of defense, intelligence and warfare, have substantially increased to confront the operational challenges that the enemy poses at a significantly lower cost.