Hamas pays salaries – Battle in Shejaiya shows the futility of the Israeli war against Gaza

From the Palestine Chronicle editorial board

The Palestinian movement Hamas has succeeded in rehabilitating itself both militarily and financially, the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported on Monday, citing an Israeli military source.

The source, who is involved in the third renewed invasion of the Shejaiya neighborhood in Gaza City, said Hamas had set up dozens of fighting positions in the area, especially in the places where Israeli forces had conducted military operations six months ago.

Last Wednesday, the Israeli army announced the start of a surprise ground offensive in Shajaiya in order to – according to its own statements – destroy the Hamas infrastructure that is still active there.

It said the operation was based on intelligence indicating the presence of militants and military infrastructure in the area.

The resistance in Shejaiya seemed as organized as during the first Israeli invasion, raising questions about the sense or futility of the Israeli war.

The Israeli army claims Yedioth Ahronoth wrote that the organization “has highlighted how Hamas has recovered in terms of governance in Gaza City in recent months, which has been reflected not only militarily.”

Al-Qassam fighters confront enemy vehicles entering the Shejaiya neighborhood in Gaza City.

Notes on the translation:
0:17 – “We are waiting for the enemy. Until now we are waiting for the enemy. Blessed be Shejaiya for what it has brought forth. We have set an ambush for them, God… pic.twitter.com/ww0fEFA8z1

— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) July 1, 2024

Hamas “has even managed to repay the salaries of its activists and recruit hundreds of new fighters, some of whom are currently clashing with (Israeli occupation) forces in a raid in Shejaiya,” it said.

The Israel Broadcasting Corporation (KAN) quoted military sources as saying that the army operation in Shejaiya will last several weeks and its aim is to gather information to free Israeli prisoners from the hands of the resistance movement.

KAN claimed that during the Shujaiya operation, the army found documents that would help determine the fate of the prisoners.

Military analyst, Major General Fayez al-Duwairi told Al-Jazeera reported that resistance groups in Shejaiya have carried out an average of “12 different operations every 24 hours” since the Israeli occupation army began its military operation in the neighborhood.

Ongoing genocide

Israel, which is currently on trial before the International Court of Justice for genocide against the Palestinians, has been waging a devastating war against Gaza since October 7.

According to the Gaza Strip Ministry of Health, 37,900 Palestinians were killed and 87,060 injured in Israel’s genocide in the Gaza Strip, which began on October 7.

In addition, at least 11,000 people are missing and are believed to be lying dead under the rubble of their homes throughout the Gaza Strip.

According to Israel, 1,200 soldiers and civilians were killed during the flood relief operation in Al-Aqsa on October 7. Israeli media reported that many Israelis were killed by friendly fire that day.

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Palestinian and international organizations say the majority of the dead and injured are women and children.

The Israeli war led to an acute famine, especially in the north of the Gaza Strip, and caused the deaths of many Palestinians, especially children.

The Israeli aggression also resulted in the forced displacement of nearly two million people from across the Gaza Strip. The vast majority of those displaced were forced to the densely populated southern city of Rafah, near the Egyptian border. It was the largest mass exodus from Palestine since the Nakba of 1948.

(The Palestine Chronicle)