Israeli Channel 12 revealed, citing sources in the Israeli army, the introduction of a fourth military brigade into Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip, in a development that military and strategic expert Major General Fayez Al-Duwairi believes comes in the context of preparations for expanding the military operation in Rafah.
However, Al-Duwairi – in an analysis of the military scene in Gaza – explains that introducing a fourth brigade to fight in Rafah falls within the framework of preparations and building a force that may be used in the process of expanding the military operation or in the process of replacing exhausted forces if American and internal pressures on the Israeli government continue.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right team insist on expanding the military operation in Rafah, despite the opposition of the rest of the members of the War Council.
The Israeli army is currently present in Rafah on an area ranging between 9 and 10 kilometers, and – as the military expert confirms – it is carrying out bombing operations targeting the city center and the western parts, and is trying to create a deep detour in order to reach Al-Rashid Street and separate Rafah from Deir Al-Balah.
Al-Duwairi says that the mobilization of Israeli forces in the cemetery area and the vicinity of the airport is a clear indication of the occupation’s intention to expand the military operation in Rafah.
The occupation army continues its military operation against Rafah, which it began on May 6, ignoring regional and international warnings about the repercussions of this, in light of the presence of about 1.4 million displaced people in this city, which it pushed there under the claim that it was “safe.”
Regarding the occupation army’s announcement of losses among its soldiers, Al-Duwairi indicated that it does not provide an accurate toll of the losses suffered by its forces, especially with regard to mercenaries and dual nationals who reside outside Israel, as well as Arabs, Bedouins, Druze, and those who accept compensation.
On the other hand, Al-Duwairi describes the ongoing war in Gaza as an unequal war, and that the Palestinian resistance is carrying out specific operations and using ambushes, anti-armor missiles, explosive charges, and mortars. He said that in light of this performance by the resistance, he will be forced to redeploy and he will say that he has accomplished the mission.
