Al Jazeera Exclusive: Intense Fighting Between Qassam Brigades and Israeli Forces in Rafah
In a dramatic turn of events, Al Jazeera aired exclusive footage today showcasing fierce clashes between the Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip. The footage reveals a direct hit on an Israeli "Nimr" troop carrier using an "Al-Yasin 105" anti-tank missile, alongside the destruction of a D9 military bulldozer by Qassam fighters.
The Qassam fighters, before launching their attack, declared, "Here is Rafah," emphasizing the Israeli army's inability to retreat from the ambush site. A fighter sent a clear message to the Israeli forces, stating, "you will drown in the sands of Rafah," and dedicated their operation to the Houthis and the broader "Axis of Resistance."
This broadcast follows a deadly ambush the previous day, resulting in the deaths of four Israeli soldiers, including a female military doctor, and injuring five others. The ambush was executed inside a booby-trapped building, a tactic that the Israeli army claims is common, with over 14,000 such buildings identified in Rafah alone.
In September, the Qassam Brigades had also reported a complex operation in Rafah, where they targeted military assets, resulting in significant casualties among Israeli forces. The ongoing conflict has seen the Israeli military claim to have dismantled the Rafah Brigade of Qassam after a prolonged operation that began on May 6, asserting that over 2,000 Hamas members have been killed and substantial tunnel networks destroyed.
Since the commencement of the Israeli ground operation on October 27, the Al-Qassam Brigades have documented their engagements against IDF forces, revealing successful ambushes and inflicting heavy losses while damaging numerous military vehicles.
