An internal investigation by the Israeli occupation army has revealed new details about a complex ambush carried out by Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, against Israeli forces following the resumption of war in Gaza.
The operation—dubbed “Breaking the Sword” by Al-Qassam—took place in Al-Awda Street, east of Beit Hanoun, in late April 2025.
Precision Strike on Israeli Command Unit
According to the Israeli military’s findings, the ambush began with the launch of an anti-tank guided missile targeting a military vehicle belonging to a company commander from the 414th Combat Intelligence Collection Battalion. The strike resulted in serious injuries to a female officer and another female soldier.
Soon after, a reinforcement unit led by the Northern Brigade commander of Gaza Division arrived at the scene, only to be hit by a roadside explosive device. The explosion killed one soldier (a staff sergeant) and seriously injured another.
Undiscovered Tunnel System Used in the Operation
The investigation concluded that the ambush was executed using a previously unknown tunnel, constructed by Al-Qassam beneath an existing one. This multi-layered tunnel system was designed to serve as a hidden base for surveillance, staging, and tactical withdrawal—showcasing an unprecedented level of underground combat engineering.
Israeli military sources acknowledged that Al-Qassam’s tactical deception succeeded in fooling their elite engineering and intelligence units, further demonstrating the group’s advanced urban warfare capabilities.
Al-Qassam’s Statement on “Breaking the Sword” Operation
In a statement issued at the time of the ambush, Al-Qassam Brigades confirmed the operation, claiming responsibility for targeting a “Storm” military vehicle operated by the Combat Intelligence Battalion of the Gaza Division, inflicting casualties among its crew.
The resistance fighters then targeted the arriving reinforcement unit with a television-monitored anti-personnel explosive device, followed by an assault on a newly established Israeli military position using four RPG rounds and a barrage of mortar shells.
Tactical Superiority in Asymmetric Warfare
The “Breaking the Sword” ambush illustrates a strategic shift in resistance operations, relying on underground innovation, synchronized firepower, and psychological warfare. The ability to carry out such a multi-layered, high-impact strike demonstrates how Al-Qassam continues to adapt and evolve, despite overwhelming Israeli firepower and surveillance technology.
The operation adds to a growing list of resistance successes that challenge the narrative of Israeli control on the ground and reveal the vulnerability of even elite IDF units to unconventional warfare executed with precision and planning.
