Israeli media reported on Saturday morning that several Israeli soldiers were killed and wounded in a major ambush in Zeitoun neighborhood, east of Gaza City.
Forces from the 162nd Division and the 401st Brigade were subjected to a well-planned ambush, during which members of the Qassam Brigades attempted to capture several soldiers.
This led the Israeli army to implement the Hannibal Protocol – a controversial procedure which involves Israeli soldiers turning on their own to prevent any capture.
Reports indicated that the army deployed six additional military helicopters to evacuate wounded soldiers from the area, in addition to launching flares intensively in the airspace of central Gaza Strip to secure the area surrounding the clashes and search for missing individuals.
They also indicated that clashes are still ongoing in the Zeitoun neighborhood, with more Palestinian faction fighters arriving at the ambush site.
Initial details revealed that a force from the Nahal Brigade fell into a similar ambush inside the neighborhood, resulting in the death of an Israeli soldier and the injury of others.
The Israeli army continues to search for four soldiers who remain missing.
Abu Obeida Threatens Israel
Earlier on Friday, Qassam Brigades spokesperson Abu Obeida threatened the Israeli army: “The occupation of Gaza will be a disaster for them.”
“The enemy’s criminal plans to occupy Gaza will be a disaster for its political and military leadership,” he explained, adding, “The enemy army will pay the price for its plans to occupy Gaza with the blood of its soldiers, and will increase the chances of more soldiers being captured, God willing.”
“Our mujahideen (fighters) are in a state of alert, heavy preparedness, and high morale, and they will present unique examples of heroism and bravery. Our mujahideen will teach the invaders harsh lessons, God willing.”
The spokesman continued: “The war criminal Netanyahu and his Nazi ministers have insistently decided to reduce the number of living enemy hostages by half.”
“The war criminal Netanyahu and his Nazi ministers have decided that most of the bodies of their slain prisoners will disappear forever.”
Abu Obeida emphasized that “We will protect the hostages as much as we can, and they will be with our mujahideen in the areas of combat and confrontation under the same circumstances.”
“We will announce the name and photo of every hostage killed by the aggression, along with proof of their death,” he assured.
The Israeli army on Friday morning began the initial and preparatory stages of its attack on Gaza City.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
