Colonel Hatem Karim Al-Falahi, a military and strategic expert, has described the operations conducted by fighters from the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), along the separation fence with Israel as bold and well-thought-out. Al-Falahi highlighted that the resistance strategy focuses on confronting the incursion into the Gaza Strip and aims to destroy as many of the invading Israeli forces as possible. He emphasized that targeting the Israeli forces' lines can create confusion and disruption at the operational level, causing significant problems.
Al-Falahi's analysis of the military scene in Gaza points to a psychological impact on the Israeli occupation army, mentioning a persistent defect in the Israeli military and intelligence systems. According to him, these systems have been unable to correct previous mistakes. On the other hand, he pointed out the effective operational planning within the resistance strategy, which includes a command and control system capable of managing defensive battles proficiently.
Specific examples of the resistance strategy include launching long-range missiles to target centers of political and economic gravity and conducting infiltration operations behind enemy lines. Al-Falahi mentioned that infiltration operations can be land, air, or sea-based, relying on precise intelligence, advanced fighter training, and a thorough understanding of enemy sector distribution. Additionally, geographical and weather conditions can be leveraged to exploit weak points.
This analysis comes in the context of a recent announcement by the Al-Qassam Brigades about a successful landing operation behind enemy lines. They penetrated the fleeting fence and attacked the headquarters of an enemy division in the city of Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip. This comes after the occupation forces admitted the death of a soldier and injuries to other soldiers during resistance operations in Rafah.
This recent operation is a continuation of a pattern, as seen on October 7, 2023, when Al-Qassam carried out major attacks on bases, barracks, and settlements around the Gaza Strip in response to violations of Al-Aqsa and other holy sites. These operations have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Israeli soldiers and officers, and the capture of at least 240 Israelis, with more than 100 released during a temporary humanitarian truce last November.
- In related developments, the District Court in Tel Aviv has shortened the duration of temporary orders to close Al Jazeera's activities in Israel. Initially issued by Communications Minister Shlomo Karai at the beginning of May, these orders were meant to expire ten days later than the new date set by the court. The court’s decision was driven by concerns that Al Jazeera's broadcasts were significantly harming the state's security, especially during a time of ongoing conflict.
- The orders issued include stopping transmissions in Israel, confiscating communication equipment, blocking the channel's websites, and revoking Israeli journalist credentials. Judge Shay Yaniv stressed that, in situations where state security is significantly threatened, freedom of expression may be limited. The Civil Rights Association criticized the ruling, arguing that it allowed an infringement on freedom of expression at a critical time and that the sanctions are ineffective in preventing actual harm to state security.
