The military and strategic expert, Major General Fayez Al-Duwairi, said that the Israeli occupation army’s attack on the city of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip, was faltering, citing field evidence, in response to statements by Israeli occupation army spokesman Daniel Hagari regarding the expansion of operations there.
Al-Duwairi explained – during his analysis for Tel Aviv Tribune – that the areas of Al-Qarara and Al-Zana, east of Khan Yunis, were the scene of Israeli operations a week ago, and it failed to impose a reality that would enable it to withdraw towards Kissufim to rebuild its combat capabilities.
He pointed out that the occupation allocated an entire brigade to the Khuza’a area, and it was unable to enter it, before it retreated outside the border fence. It has also had operations in the eastern region of New Abasan since the start of the ground operation in Khan Yunis two days ago, and the forces were unable to reach Salah al-Din Street.
Al-Duwairi pointed out that the occupation entered from the Hamad Town Towers to the area known as “Gush Katif” west of Khan Yunis, which witnessed an airdrop that he described as “ridiculous,” due to the occupation’s inability to secure a route for logistical supplies for a distance not exceeding 17 kilometers only.
Regarding what Hagari said that one of the divisions was withdrawn from Gaza for rest and training, Al-Duwairi said, “The forces are withdrawn due to the low level of combat readiness in equipment, personnel, morale, or logistical supply,” stressing that they suffered severe losses, “and if they had stayed, they would have been an easy prey for the resistance.”
During a press conference, Hagari said that the division operating in the Khan Yunis area expanded its attacks there, and was able to “target a battalion of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) responsible for the missiles.”
Regarding New Abasan and Abasan Al-Kabira, the strategic expert pointed out that it is a large area with a complex and many network of mines and tunnels, and gives the resistance forces a high degree of flexibility in appearing in time and place, and they operate within the concept of intimidation and shock under the rule of “Where, when, and how does the resistance emerge?”
Al-Duwairi pointed out that the occupation operations east of Khan Yunis shifted from an actual attack to an offensive maneuver in search of weak points, and in the hope of exploiting them to develop its operations.
Al-Wasta developments
As for the Central Governorate, Al-Duwairi said that there are two brigades in the northern region of the Bureij and Nuseirat camps, and their forces have begun building dirt barriers and tank positions to provide protection, and they are not in a situation of direct clashes.
He pointed out that in the Bureij camp, offensive maneuvers are being applied to search for weak points, and in Nusseirat, combat operations have been established, and there is only a firefight, while the occupation is trying to enter Al-Maghazi camp and the town of Al-Zawaida under the concept of operational maneuver.
Al-Duwairi confirmed that the resistance factions’ extensive use of mortar detachments to deal with the accumulation of occupation forces from the west of Juhr al-Dik to Al-Rashid (Al-Bahr) Street, at a depth of 5 kilometers, is considered an effective weapon.