Israeli offensive increases chances of capturing more soldiers: Qassam Brigades
Abu Obeida, the spokesman of Hamas’s military wing, said Israel’s plans to occupy Gaza will be a “disaster for its political and military leadership”. “This will increase the chances of capturing new soldiers. Our fighters are in a state of alert, preparedness and high morale,” he said.
On the fate of Israeli captives held in Gaza, Abu Obeida said they will safeguard them “as much as we can”.
“They will be with our fighters in places of confrontation, in the same conditions of danger and living. We will announce every captive killed by the acts of aggression, providing their name, photo and proof of their death.”
Israeli army losses in Gaza City a ‘significant tactical setback’
The ambush on Israeli forces in Gaza City that killed one soldier and left four missing is a “significant tactical setback” for the Israeli army, which undermines the Israeli government’s messaging about the strength of Hamas, says a Middle East security expert.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Rodger Shanahan said the fighting in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighbourhood, in which 11 Israeli soldiers were also seriously injured, showed clearly that Hamas’s capabilities had not been destroyed, which was a stated aim of the Netanyahu government.
“Areas like that favour the defender,” he said, adding that the clashes showed “just how difficult it is to conduct urban warfare. “Capturing Israeli soldiers appears to be one of the tactical aims of Palestinian fighters at the moment.”
He said the fallout from any setback in the military campaign would have political ramifications for Netanyahu and his cabinet, given that the Israeli military had voiced opposition to the Gaza City campaign.
Ambush of Israeli soldiers a ‘strategic headache’
Military and political analyst Elijah Magnier says the latest ambush by Palestinian fighters in Gaza City highlights both the tactical and political challenges facing Israel in its offensive.
“The ambush shows that the battle for Gaza City will not only be measured in territorial gain by the Israelis, but in more political pressure and the delicate balance between military objectives and human costs, including the Israeli soldiers that are attacking, but above all, the Palestinians,” he told Al Jazeera.
“This ambush is going to cause a strategic headache. The Israeli army chief warned that this is something that can happen, and he wanted to make sure that the responsibility falls on the decision-makers.”
Magnier said the Gaza City offensive will have “psychological consequences” for the Israeli army itself, and is likely to “divide Israeli society further”.
Seven Israeli soldiers injured in IED attack
Israeli media is reporting that at least seven soldiers have been injured, three in serious condition, in recent attacks in Gaza, one of which involved an IED blast targeting an armoured personnel carrier.
