On Monday, the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad launched a volley of 20 rockets into southern Israel in response to “the crimes of the Zionist enemy against our people”. This escalation comes alongside intense fighting within Gaza and the advancement of Israeli tanks deeper into areas of the enclave.
The Islamic Jihad – an ally of Hamas – released a statement claiming responsibility for the barrage which targeted Israeli settlements near the border fence. No casualties have been reported but minor damage to some houses was caused. More importantly, the attack serves as a blow to the Israeli’s morale, as it is clear that the militants still possess the capabilities to launch rocket attacks into Israel, almost 9 months into a war with the aim of: “eliminating the terrorist army”.
In response to the volley, Israel has begun a new offensive, focusing on the Khan Younis region where residents of the eastern part of the city were ordered to evacuate by the Israeli military. Some have speculated that Israel intends to return to the area, which they left several weeks ago. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has since said, “we are advancing to the end of the phase of eliminating the terrorist army, and there will be a continuation to strike its remnants”.
In some areas of Gaza, militants have continued to stage attacks on Israeli force in areas that the army had left months ago. So far, this has been the militants’ primary defence strategy; a form of underground, guerilla warfare has been the only viable way for militants to combat the vast military superiority that the Israeli army has. It is clear that Hamas’ view of victory is simply surviving the conflict and remaining in a position of power within Gaza however it has proved quite difficult to destroy the last of the Hamas fighting cells still intact, as well as the ideology behind them.
Meanwhile, Israel has signaled that its operation in Rafah will soon be concluded but it will maintain the presence of a small number of troops in the city to prevent militants reassembling. Separately, Arab mediators ceasefire attempts have stalled as Israel has refused to accept any deal that keeps Hamas in power over Gaza. The Gaza health ministry has said that nearly 38,000 people have been killed, of which most are civilians. Israel has reportedly lost 316 soldiers and the almost 1,200 killed on October 7th.
Written by Rakan Pharaon
