Illustrative image.
The al-Qassad Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, shared on October 1 and 2 two videos documenting daring attacks in Gaza City, where the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) is currently conducting a major offensive.
The first video shows an Israeli soldier being targeted by sniper fire. The soldier received a direct hit and collapsed. The video also includes footage of clashes with IDF troops from point blank, and mortar attacks on Israeli military positions around Gaza City.
In the other video, Hamas fighters can be seen blowing up a Merkava Mk.4M main battle tank of the IDF after planting an explosive device between its chassis and turret. The attack took place in Gaza City’s Tel al-Hawa neighborhood, according to the group, which said that armored personnel carriers were also targeted in a similar fashion.
The IDF launched the offensive in Gaza City, codenamed “Operation Gideon’s Chariots B,” on September 15. Three divisions, the 36th, 162nd and 98th, are currently operating there. The offensive has so far displaced some 800,000 Palestinians out of a million who had been taking shelter in the city.
On October 1, Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that the IDF was close to encircling Gaza City and that residents have a “last opportunity” to flee.
In a press release, the minister said the IDF was seizing the western portion of the Netzarim Corridor, which lies right to the south of Gaza City, up to the coast, “bisecting Gaza between its north and south.”
“This will tighten the encirclement around Gaza City and everyone leaving it to the south will be forced to pass through IDF checkpoints,” said Katz. “This is the last opportunity for Gaza residents who wish to do so to move south and leave Hamas terrorists isolated in Gaza City, in the face of IDF activity that continues with full force.”
Those remaining in Gaza City will be “terrorists and supporters of terror,” Katz declared. “The IDF is preparing for all possibilities and is determined to continue its operations, until the return of all the hostages and the disarmament of Hamas, en route to ending the war.”
Later on the same day, the IDF announced it had achieved “operational control” over the Netzarim Corridor’s western portion, preventing Palestinians from returning to Gaza City.
Palestinian health officials reported the death of 73 people in Gaza City and other parts of the Strip on October 1, and an additional 53 on October 2. The death toll since the start of the offensive in the city remains uncertain, but in general the Israeli war has so far claimed the lives of more than 66,200 Palestinians. The toll includes some 440 people who died of hunger, as Israel continues to restrict aid to the enclave.
Earlier this week, United States President Donald Trump announced a plan to end the war, which requires Hamas to release all hostages, disarm, and hand over control of the enclave to an international security force overseen by a body headed by non-other than former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Arab leaders welcomed the plan, but Hamas is yet to respond.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence
NOW hosted at southfront.press
Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.
The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation
Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com
idf is still crushing gaza!!!
wow! i take my hat off to those brave men… walking up to a tank and planting explosives. congratulations and keep up the fight to expel those genocidal, baby killing invaders.