Hamas Demonstrates Retaliatory Capabilities, Death of Israeli Armored Brigade Commander Shakes Israel
Gaza City, October 22, 2024 -The death of Colonel Da’ksa, commander of the Israeli Defense Forces’ 401st Armored Brigade, in a Hamas ambush in northern Gaza has sent shockwaves throughIsrael. This marks the highest-ranking Israeli military officer killed in the ongoing conflict, raising concerns about Hamas’s ability to retaliate and the potential for furtherescalation.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Da’ksa’s death on social media, calling him a hero, fighter, and commander who dedicated his life to protecting Israel. The incident occurred while the brigade was engaged in a sustainedoffensive against Hamas in the Jabalia refugee camp.
According to Israeli media reports, Da’ksa and two other officers disembarked from their tank and walked a short distance to an observation point. Hamas had planted an explosive device at the location,killing Da’ksa instantly and injuring the other two officers.
The 41-year-old Da’ksa, a member of the Druze community, was one of the most senior officers killed in the Gaza fighting. He had been appointed commander of the 401st Armored Brigade, a key force inIsrael’s offensive, just four months prior.
This incident comes less than a week after the Israeli military killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in a targeted airstrike. Netanyahu had declared Sinwar’s death as the beginning of the end of the Gaza war. However, Hamas’s successful ambush of Da’ksais seen as a powerful counter-narrative, demonstrating their continued capacity to inflict significant casualties on Israeli forces.
Israel seems to think that killing our leaders means the end of our movement and the end of the Palestinian people’s struggle, said a senior Hamas member, Nayim, according to the Middle East Eye website. Buteach time, Hamas becomes stronger and more popular.
In the wake of Sinwar’s death, Hamas is reportedly holding a meeting to determine his successor. The Saudi-based newspaper Al-Sharq Al-Awsat reported that Hamas leadership has almost unanimously agreed to keep the identity of the new leader secretto prevent targeted assassinations by Israel.
The death of Da’ksa is the sixth Israeli colonel killed in the current conflict. According to Al Jazeera, Da’ksa is the 358th Israeli soldier killed in the Gaza conflict since October 7, 2023. Meanwhile, the Gaza healthministry has reported over 42,000 deaths in Gaza, with the majority being women and children.
The incident raises serious questions about the effectiveness of Israel’s military strategy and the potential for further escalation of the conflict. Hamas’s ability to inflict significant casualties on Israeli forces, even after the death ofits top leader, underscores the complexity of the situation and the challenges facing both sides in reaching a lasting peace.
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Note: This article draws upon information from various news sources and attempts to provide a balanced and objective perspective on the events. It is important to consult multiple sources and critically evaluate the information presented.
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