The Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, executed a daring ambush on Friday in the al-Zaytoun neighborhood of Gaza City, leaving four Israeli occupation soldiers missing and causing heavy casualties, according to Israeli media reports.

The operation, carried out deep inside the besieged enclave, has been described by Israeli outlets as one of the deadliest and most difficult encounters since October 7, 2023.

A Severe Blow to the Occupation Army

The ambush demonstrated once again the capacity of the Palestinian resistance to inflict significant losses despite facing an enemy equipped with advanced weaponry, massive air support, and overwhelming numerical strength. Reports from Israeli sources confirmed that several soldiers were killed or wounded during the clashes, while four remain unaccounted for.

The incident has rattled the Israeli military establishment, with commentators acknowledging that the battle in al-Zaytoun marked one of the harshest setbacks for the occupation since the beginning of its genocidal war on Gaza.

Hannibal Protocol: A Policy of Sacrificing Soldiers

Following the incident, the Israeli army immediately invoked the infamous “Hannibal Protocol,” a directive that orders troops to prevent the capture of Israeli soldiers at any cost — even if it means killing their own comrades through heavy bombardment.

This policy, long condemned as inhumane, reflects the Israeli leadership’s preference for dead soldiers over captured ones, fearing the political consequences of prisoner exchanges with Palestinian resistance groups. Past cases, such as the capture of Gilad Shalit in 2006, revealed how Israeli society and politics are shaken by such events, often forcing the government to negotiate major prisoner swaps that free large numbers of Palestinian detainees.

By activating the Hannibal Protocol in al-Zaytoun, the occupation army effectively admitted that it is willing to sacrifice its soldiers’ lives rather than allow them to be taken alive by the resistance. For Palestinians, this underscores what Abu Obeida, the spokesperson of the Al-Qassam Brigades, described as the Israeli government’s betrayal of its own soldiers.

Abu Obeida: The Price of Occupation Will Be Paid in Blood

Earlier this week, Abu Obeida warned that the continued invasion and occupation of Gaza would come at a devastating price for Israel. “The price of occupying Gaza will be paid in the blood of occupation soldiers,” he declared, adding that resistance operations would increase the likelihood of more soldiers being captured.

He emphasized that Al-Qassam fighters remain fully alert, highly motivated, and resilient in the face of Israeli massacres, and that they are ready to deal harsh blows to the invading forces, with God’s help.

Gaza’s Resistance Unbroken

Despite nearly a year of relentless airstrikes, the destruction of thousands of homes, forced displacements, and a suffocating blockade that has created famine conditions, the Palestinian resistance has continued to fight with determination. Operations like the al-Zaytoun ambush highlight the resilience and tactical ingenuity of the fighters, who continue to challenge the occupation on the ground.

For the Palestinian people, such operations are seen as proof that the resistance remains strong, capable of not only surviving Israel’s genocidal campaign but also delivering painful blows that expose the weakness of the so-called “invincible army.”

Israel’s Dilemma

The disappearance of four soldiers adds a new dimension to Israel’s already faltering military strategy. If the soldiers are confirmed captured, the resistance will gain significant leverage in future negotiations, potentially paving the way for another major prisoner exchange — something Netanyahu’s government has desperately sought to avoid.

At the same time, the incident raises questions among Israelis about their leaders’ willingness to sacrifice soldiers through the Hannibal Protocol rather than protect their lives. Families of occupation soldiers have long accused the Israeli army of abandoning their sons on the battlefield to preserve political interests.

The al-Zaytoun ambush marks a turning point in the ongoing battle for Gaza, showing once again that the Palestinian resistance remains steadfast while the Israeli occupation suffers mounting losses. As Abu Obeida warned, the longer the aggression continues, the heavier the price Israel will pay — not only in the blood of its soldiers but also in the erosion of its military credibility and political stability. (ILKHA)