Gaza City — Hamas’ Qassam Brigades have taken responsibility for an array of deadly attacks against Israeli forces operating in southern Gaza, marking yet another escalation in an ongoing conflict that has already claimed thousands of lives and caused massive displacement.
On Friday, a militant group said its fighters carried out numerous ambushes and attacks against Israeli military units located in Khan Younis and Rafah areas. These strikes included tunnel attacks equipped with explosive devices; anti-tank rocket fire; close range engagements that resulted in several Israeli soldier’s deaths and injuries; according to Qassam Brigades.
“These operations are part of our resistance against occupation and response to continued massacres against our people,” according to a statement issued by the group. It also released unverified footage allegedly showing militants detonating explosive devices near Israeli armored vehicles.
Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed several soldiers had been injured during operations in southern Gaza but did not immediately provide information regarding fatalities. IDF stated its troops engaged in “complex urban combat”, pushing deeper into Hamas strongholds to attack militant infrastructure and destroy Hamas strongholds.
Israel Military stated in a brief statement: “Our forces continue their targeted operations in southern Gaza against terrorist operatives and weapons depots, encountering stiff resistance as operations progress.”
Recent weeks have witnessed intensified fighting in southern Gaza, particularly around Rafah where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have sought shelter after being dislocated from other parts of Gaza. Israeli officials have indicated that Rafah could become their next focus for ground operations despite international concern regarding civilian casualties.
Human rights groups and UN agencies have expressed grave concern that further fighting in densely populated southern areas could have devastating humanitarian repercussions. “Any military operation near Rafah, where over 1.4 million displaced persons currently shelter,” according to an OCHA spokesperson, could quickly turn an already dire situation into complete devastation.
Residents in Gaza report hearing continuous shelling and gunfire, prompting many to fear a full-scale incursion is imminent. “There’s nowhere left to run to,” noted one displaced man speaking with local media in Rafah. “Everywhere is dangerous now — from north to middle and now south.”
The Qassam Brigades’ assertion of effective resistance may portend a longer, more drawn-out conflict than Israeli planners anticipated. With both sides entrenching themselves further, diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire remain fruitless, with talks between Egypt and Qatar yielding no breakthrough in reaching an agreement to end hostilities.
As casualties mount and fighting escalates, recent claims and counterclaims reflect an unfortunate reality: Gaza remains under siege and won’t fall without a fight.