Israel's nightmare has no end in sight. The ongoing war worries the occupiers
Hamas's skills in military craft have put Israeli troops in fear. Despite a relentless ground operation, drowning in an ocean of endless underground tunnels and being caught off guard against surprise attacks, Israeli commanders now realise that they are "far from winning". Realising that the war will be a long one, a fear of "perpetual guerrilla warfare" has arisen in Israel.
When Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war against the more than two million Palestinian population in Gaza on 7 October 2023, he stated that his goal was to destroy Hamas and release prisoners. In 7 months of bloodshed, the Israeli army has not achieved any of its goals. Among other things, the occupier army has launched an offensive on Rafah in southern Gaza, where 1.4 million civilians have congregated, and is in diplomatic tension with Egypt. Israeli commanders conducting ground operations admit in despair that they are "far from winning." Through its tactics, Hamas is fuelling Israel's fears of a "protracted war." The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), citing security analysts in Gaza, reports that Hamas is using its network of underground tunnels, small militant cells and widespread influence in society not only to survive, but to counter Israel. The Israeli 98th Division, fighting in Jibaliya in northern Gaza, reported that Hamas is attacking more aggressively, firing anti-tank guns at more soldiers sheltering in homes and Israeli military vehicles every day.
GAZA CONTINUES TO DOMINATE
In the 223 days since the attack, the Israeli occupation has destroyed 70 per cent of Gaza. While more than 35,000 civilians have been killed in the attacks, the Israeli army has only been able to rescue three of the dozens of prisoners held by Hamas. After the Rafah operation, it was announced that Hamas inflicted heavy losses on the Israeli army using hit and run tactics, and yesterday the occupation side said it had transferred new forces to Rafah. Despite the fact that the Israeli army has been conducting a ground operation for months, it has not been able to uncover Hamas' network of underground tunnels. In addition to launching surprise attacks through the tunnels, Hamas has maintained its social control in Gaza through them. It also continues to launch rocket attacks against illegal Jewish settlements around Gaza at varying intervals.
A STRATEGIC DEFEAT FOR NETANYAHU
Hamas's ability to fight back against the Israeli occupation represents a strategic challenge for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the WSJ reported. Netanyahu has stated that the main goal of the war is the complete destruction of the resistance, and that this must precede any peaceful solution to the war. On the other hand, the prolongation of the war worries Israeli commanders on the ground, families of prisoners and politicians. In early May, 900 families of Israeli soldiers sent a letter to the government calling for a cease-fire, saying their children were psychologically and physically exhausted. Israeli commanders on the ground told the WSJ that they are far from the goal of destroying Hamas. Prisoners' families have been demanding weekly that the government accept a truce and release the captives.
DIPLOMATIC CRISIS WITH EGYPT
The prolongation of the war and Israel's violation of international agreements when it entered Rafah has led to a diplomatic crisis with Egypt, which brokered the ceasefire. Reacting to Israel's seizure of the Rafah border crossing, the Egyptian administration and Arab tribes in northern Sinai on Wednesday night allowed a large number of humanitarian aid vehicles to enter Gaza from an alternative point without consulting the Israeli side. This situation was interpreted as a complete loss of control by Israel, which wanted to control the crossings at the Rafah border crossing.
ADDITIONAL FORCES SENT TO RAFAH
The Israeli occupation army, facing fierce resistance from the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, has reportedly sent another brigade to Rafah. According to Times Of Israel, the occupation army has sent another brigade to the region to support the 162nd Military Brigade operating east of Rafah and expand its attacks. It is reported that once the new brigade is dispatched, the Israeli government will officially authorise the expansion of attacks in the region. The previous day, fighters from the Izzettin al-Qassam Brigade, the armed wing of Hamas, killed 12 Israeli soldiers during an operation in Jabaliya. Also, the occupying forces were forced to withdraw from the Zeitoun neighbourhood and the nearby neighbourhoods of Sabra and Tel-Heva, leaving behind great destruction.
GALLANT CHALLENGED
At a press conference on the situation in Gaza, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant criticised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his lack of contingency plans for the end of the war. Gallant also spoke out against Netanyahu's decision to continue operations in Gaza instead of a political solution, and said that a military administration cannot be established in Gaza. Stating that he is against such an administration on the grounds that it would be bloody and burdensome, Gallant asked Netanyahu to declare that Israel will not occupy Gaza in order to govern it and will not try to establish an alternative administration to Hamas. For his part, Netanyahu said that he would not accept Hamas remaining as it is and that operations would continue, and that he was prepared to hand over the administration of Gaza to the Ramallah government in the West Bank.
From information sent by an anonymous source
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