The recent appearance of a field commander from the Elite Unit of the Al-Qassam Brigades — the military wing of Hamas — in a resistance video has raised many questions about its timing, coinciding with Israeli threats under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to reoccupy Gaza City.
On Monday, Al-Qassam released footage showing its fighters confronting Israeli forces and military vehicles in the al-Zaytoun neighbourhood, southeast of Gaza City. In the video, a masked field commander from the Elite Unit delivered a dual message — one directed to resistance fighters, the other to the Israeli occupation government.
A Signal of Escalation
Military expert Hatem Karim al-Falahi noted that the appearance of fighters wearing the Elite Unit insignia — after being absent from earlier stages of the battle — is highly significant. It suggests that Hamas is now deploying this specialised force directly into the confrontation.
According to al-Falahi, this signals that upcoming battles will be tough and ferocious for the Israeli army, which now faces units armed not only with advanced weapons but also with exceptional training that enables them to carry out complex missions from multiple directions.
“These units are highly trained, with an advanced level of combat readiness,” al-Falahi said during an appearance on Al Jazeera’s military analysis segment.
“God Gives the Hardest Battles to His Strongest Soldiers”
The Al-Qassam commander, appearing masked, vowed to confront Israel’s escalating threats against Gaza’s civilians. He declared that resistance fighters surround the occupation forces from every direction. Acknowledging the difficulty of the battle, he affirmed:
“Allah does not assign the toughest battles except to His strongest soldiers. So march forward with the blessing of Allah.”
Resistance Surveillance and Adaptation
Footage released from eastern Gaza also revealed precise monitoring of Israeli troop movements, including soldiers concealed inside fortified buildings. According to al-Falahi, this demonstrates the resistance’s ability to adapt effectively to evolving battlefield conditions.
Despite Israeli rhetoric about reoccupying and encircling Gaza City, actual military operations remain concentrated in the al-Zaytoun district. So far, no deep incursion into the heart of the city has materialised.
The Spearhead of October 7
The Qassam Elite Forces played a decisive spearhead role during the October 7, 2023 Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. Elite fighters stormed Israeli bases, military outposts, and settlements around Gaza, engaging in prolonged and fierce battles with the occupation army.
That historic operation resulted in the killing of at least 1,200 Israelis, the vast majority being army and police personnel, and the capture of 240 others. It remains one of the most significant blows dealt to Israel in its modern history, shattering its aura of invincibility.
