Military expert Major General Fayez El-Dwairy has indicated that the battles disseminated by the Al-Qassam Brigades – the military wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) – in regions of North Gaza point to an imminent conclusion of combat in this part, with an assertion that the conflicts in the South are also unlikely to continue for more than two more weeks if the current resistance performance persists.
The Qassam Brigades have released images showing their fighters targeting Israeli tanks at close range in the neighborhoods of Al-Tuffah and Al-Daraj, at a time when the resistance is also engaged in fierce battles in central and southern Gaza.
El-Dwairy noted that Israeli forces have started to withdraw from the Jabal Al-Rayes area (North of the strip), where they have been fighting for days. This retreat is part of transitioning to the third phase of the ground operation, which will likely focus on specific areas or targets.
The military expert reiterated that the current battles are concentrated in the central part of Gaza, especially in the Al-Bureij neighborhood, where Israeli forces aim to penetrate deeper into the areas of Al-Maghraqa, Al-Zawayda, and Al-Maghazi.
However, these forces have received signals that Al-Maghraqa will be as resistant as the stalwart Jabal Al-Rayes in the north, prompting them to renew their assault on the area, according to El-Dwairy.
In the South as well, the Israeli forces continue to face fierce resistance in areas like Al-Qarara, Absan, and Bani Suheila, displaying extreme caution due to the realization that the number of tunnels in these areas could greatly exceed those in the North, as per El-Dwairy.
The occupation army has announced that taking control of Khan Younis might require months of fighting in light of the challenges that the forces face on the ground.
El-Dwairy concluded that a current cessation of the war is contingent on the United States announcing a halt to its support for Israel, affirming that these battles may come to a stop within two weeks.