Hebrew media sources confirmed that four Israeli soldiers were killed and 17 others wounded in a sophisticated ambush staged by the Palestinian resistance in the Jorat Al-Lout area, southeast of Khan Younis.
Reports indicated that the Israeli force was hit by anti-tank missiles, resulting in casualties and destruction. When a rescue unit was dispatched to evacuate the wounded, it too was targeted, and multiple military vehicles caught fire due to the ambush.
In a statement, the al-Qassam Brigades announced:
“Our fighters successfully carried out a complex ambush targeting a Zionist force fortified inside a house. The fighters used a Yassin-105 rocket and an RPG, resulting in both fatalities and injuries. The building was then attacked with automatic gunfire in the Old Licensing Area, south of Khan Younis.”
The statement added that a Merkava tank was also targeted using a Shawaz explosive device and a Yassin-105 in the same area.
Tactical Evolution of the Resistance
Military expert Maj. Gen. Majed Al-Qaisi attributed the success of such operations to Hamas’ evolving tactics.
“The key to these effective ambushes, even in devastated areas, lies in Hamas’ method of operating in small, agile units—typically 3 to 5 fighters. They specialise in layered and booby-trapped ambushes.”
In an interview with Arabi21, Al-Qaisi added:
“The resistance frequently alters its operational patterns, relying on tunnels to surprise Israeli forces, implementing hit-and-run strategies, and focusing on long-term attrition.”
He also emphasised the strategic advantage of local terrain:
“These fighters consider themselves defenders of their homeland, which fuels their determination. They utilise the terrain to their benefit and often fight behind enemy lines, giving them the upper hand.”
By contrast, Al-Qaisi noted that Israeli forces primarily rely on “fire belts,” destruction of civilian infrastructure (known as the Eisenkot Doctrine), limited ground incursions, and a “land-for-hostages” strategy.
“Air cover and fire belts might be effective against conventional armies with fixed formations, but they fail against fast-moving, small resistance cells. Israel’s army ends up fighting ghosts.”
Why the Rescue Units Were Also Targeted
One standout aspect of this ambush—and others in the same region—is the resistance’s ability to strike Israeli rescue teams. Al-Qaisi explained:
“Al-Qassam fighters never stay in one place. They attack, then relocate. Once the Israeli rescue team arrives, they strike again. Air surveillance is ineffective against such fluid, fast-moving guerrilla tactics.”
Gaza Returns to the Forefront
Dr. Suleiman Basharat, an expert on Israeli affairs, said this ambush marks a turning point in the Israeli public’s perception of the Gaza war:
“While Netanyahu has been steering focus toward the confrontation with Iran—downplaying Gaza as a secondary front—this operation brings Gaza back to centre stage.”
Speaking to Arabi21, Basharat added:
“This ambush, especially if it involved missing soldiers, could shift public sentiment significantly. The timing, just after the ceasefire announcement, magnifies its impact.”
He described the current state of war as a prolonged, unsolvable war of attrition:
“Without an immediate and full Israeli ground withdrawal from Gaza, no meaningful resolution seems possible.”
According to Basharat, Israel aims to reshape Gaza by imposing a new reality that allows for long-term control, including demographic engineering and administrative restructuring.
“But ambushes like today’s disrupt that vision. If such operations continue and grow in frequency, the Israeli public will be forced to reckon with the real cost of the war.”
A Growing Pressure to Negotiate
Basharat noted that Israeli society may soon draw comparisons between recent wars:
“Israel concluded a war with Lebanon through an agreement, and there are moves toward a similar outcome with Iran. Now the public might begin demanding the same for Gaza.”
This shift, however, hinges on the continuation and escalation of resistance operations that inflict direct military losses.
Are There Missing Soldiers?
Early reports from Hebrew media suggested the possibility of missing Israeli soldiers, though this has not been officially confirmed at the time of writing. If confirmed, it would significantly escalate the political and military stakes.
The issue of Israeli captives remains a flashpoint. Many in Israel are calling for an end to the war and a negotiated prisoner exchange with the resistance. The capture of new soldiers could intensify this pressure.
Dr. Basharat commented:
“If Hamas has indeed captured soldiers in this ambush, it would deal a blow to Netanyahu and the Israeli military leadership. Just days ago, they were celebrating the recovery of remains of past captives. Now, they may be facing a new crisis.”
He added:
“It’s a zero-sum game—trading one set of soldiers for another. But this time, if they are alive, the political price demanded by the resistance will be exponentially higher.”
Visual Evidence of Resistance Operations
Al-Qassam Brigades released video footage of recent operations in Khan Younis. The clips show:
- A sniper eliminating an Israeli soldier from an engineering unit.
- Resistance fighters planting and detonating explosive devices beneath Israeli tanks.
- A direct attack on a house where Israeli forces were taking cover.
These scenes not only confirm the scope and success of resistance operations but also underscore the continued vulnerability of Israeli ground forces in Gaza—even after nearly two years of war
