Barefoot and wielding light personal weapons; these scenes caught the attention of social media platforms in the video released by the military media of the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement “Hamas”, which showed the brigades’ fighters attacking Israeli occupation soldiers and finishing them off in their tents in the Jahar al-Dik area in the Gaza Strip.
“Putting bullets in the heads of Zionist soldiers…
Potent visuals display a part of the battle where Qassam’s warriors eliminated 10 soldiers and withdrew safely in Jahar al-Dik, east of the central area of the Gaza Strip.
وضعوا الرصاص في رأس الجنود الصهاينة..
مشاهد قوية تظهر جانباً من المعركة التي قضى فيها مجاهدو كتائب القسام على 10 جنود والانسحاب بسلام في جحر الديك شرق المنطقة الوسطى في قطاع غزة. #طوفان_الأقصى pic.twitter.com/DeOXclL1Zv
— رضوان الأخرس (@rdooan) December 16, 2023
The question that spread among internet users was why the fighters appeared barefoot during their attack on the occupation soldiers’ gatherings. Different answers began to emerge among bloggers. Some suggested that the Jahar al-Dik area is agricultural land with clayey soil, and moving on sand or clay is more effective and faster without shoes, as shoes cause significant hindrance and muscle strain.
“Does anyone know why our friends are fighting while barefoot?” 🔻
احد يعرف ليش حبايبنا يقاتلون وهم حفاة الأقدام؟ 🔻 pic.twitter.com/yiw0kAWQrN
— أجيج (@1b2_r) December 16, 2023
Video observers said that the Qassam fighters appeared barefoot mainly for ease and agility of movement, and also because walking on the sand barefoot makes no sound, unlike military boots which can make noise and attract attention. Additionally, when running on soft sand in boots, the boots can sink and allow sand inside, which hinders movement.
“Moving on the sands barefoot is more effective and faster, which is accustomed to our dealing with the surrounding desert nature.
With shoes, you’ll cause significant hindrance and intense muscle effort.”
التحرك على الرمال حافي القدمين أكثر فاعلية وسرعة وهذا ما ألفناه تعاملا مع الطبيعة الصحراوية المحيطة بنا.
بالحذاء ستتسبب في تعطيل كبير وجهد عضلي جد كبير.— مُميت (@Ajeej_) December 16, 2023
Some commenters pointed out that the occupation possesses powerful sensor devices on their tanks and all over the places that can even detect the sound of footsteps. Hence, they walk barefoot to minimize sound or to be as quiet as possible to avoid drawing attention. They added that the Palestinian resistance gives the Israeli occupying army a new lesson in combat and military planning each time.
“Barefoot for ease of movement and lightness primarily.
And also because walking barefoot especially on sand does not make sound at all, unlike walking in military boots which makes sound when walking and attracts attention, and the boot or shoe, when walking on soft sand and running, it sinks and lets sand inside the shoe which hinders movement.”
حافي القدمين لسهولة الحركة وخفتها بالدرجة الأولى .
وكذلك لأن المشي حافي القدمين خصوصا الرمل لايصدر صوت أبدا عكس المشي بالحذاء العسكري فإنه يصدر صوت عند المشي ويلفت الانتباه، وكذلك الجزمة أو الحذاء عندما تمشي على رمل ناعم وتركض فإنه يغوص ويدخل الرمل داخل الحذاء فيعيق الحركة .— أمجد الماضي Amjad Almadi (@abwmkht29613409) December 17, 2023
“The most convincing explanation I’ve read… that the occupation has powerful sensor devices mounted on tanks and in all places that can detect even the sound of footsteps… they walk barefoot so that the sound is nonexistent or as minimal as possible.”
اكثر تفسير إقناعا قرأته .. ان الاحتلال عنده اجهزة استشعار قوية موجودة على الدبابات وفي كل الأماكن تستطيع ان ترصد حتى صوت الأقدام .. فهم يمشون حفاة لينعدم الصوت او يكون اقل ما يمكن
— محمد نصار (@mohmed_nassar28) December 17, 2023
Jahar al-Dik village is located in the southern part of the governorate, halfway between Gaza City and the central camps, about 8 kilometers away. It is bordered on the east by the Green Line, on the west by Salah al-Din Street, on the north by Karme Abu Salem road, and on the south by the Gaza Valley. The area of its jurisdiction amounts to 6200 dunums, and being an agricultural border village, it is always exposed to the bulldozing of its land due to Israeli incursions.
The spokesperson for the Israeli Occupation Army, Daniel Haggary, acknowledged that his soldiers are going through difficult and complex times, facing unprecedented situations in ongoing military operations in the Gaza Strip. Haggary added that the army is facing situations it has not encountered before.
