TEHRAN – Hebrew media have described “security incidents” in Gaza City as one of the most difficult since October 7, 2023. 

Israeli occupation forces (IOF) reportedly experienced at least three major “security incidents”, the most serious occurred in the Zeitoun neighborhood, southeast of Gaza City, where Palestinian resistance forces attempted to capture IOF soldiers. 

Four soldiers reportedly went missing, and the Israeli military imposed a media blackout on the incident.

At one point, Hebrew media reported, “There is no official information from the Israeli army regarding a capture operation in Gaza, but reports indicate that four soldiers are currently being searched for after heavy clashes, with the incident still classified as a concern.”

The three incidents occurred in different locations Zeitoun (southeast Gaza City), al-Sabra (south Gaza City), and Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.

Fierce clashes were reported between Palestinian resistance fighters and the IOF, with close-quarters combat taking place in both Gaza City and Khan Younis.

The most intense fighting happened in Zeitoun, where Israeli media described the incident as one of the most difficult since the war began. 

Fighters from Palestinian resistance groups ambushed a unit from the IOF’s Nahal Brigade and attempted to capture troops in a second ambush. Four IOF soldiers were believed to be unaccounted for, and the military did not issue any official statement to deny the reports.

To prevent soldiers from being taken captive, the IOF reportedly activated the “Hannibal Protocol” but clashes continued until early Saturday morning as more Palestinian resistance fighters joined the battle.

According to updates released after the event, one IOF soldier was killed, and at least eleven others were seriously wounded. Reports suggest more fatalities among the IOF ranks. 

While the Israeli military searched for its missing soldiers, Palestinian resistance forces hindered the operation by firing mortars and machine guns at the IOF and targeting six rescue helicopters. 

Fighters from al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, launched what was described as a fierce assault, setting ambushes and striking fortified IOF positions. Israeli media reported that four different IOF positions in Zeitoun were targeted in a short span of time. 

Describing the nature of the attacks, reports pointed out that “Hamas cells emerge from the rubble, execute deadly ambushes, and vanish.”

Following the incident, the IOF withdrew from Zeitoun and returned to their bases. 
Military censorship has been enforced, prohibiting publication of details about the missing soldiers. Hebrew reports stated “Military censorship has, as usual, imposed restrictions on events in Gaza, amid conflicting reports over whether contact was lost with Israeli soldiers.”

The al-Qassam Brigades posted a brief but pointed message on the social media platform Telegram, which read: “A reminder for the forgetful – death or captivity.”

In the nearby al-Sabra neighborhood, IOF soldiers also fell into an ambush, prompting the regime’s helicopters to bomb the area. Meanwhile, IOF warplanes intensified their presence over Gaza, carrying out airstrikes and deploying flares.

The ambushes occurred just hours before al-Qassam commander and spokesman Abu Ubaida warned that any Israeli plan to occupy Gaza City would come at a high price in blood and increase the chances of IOF soldiers being captured.

“The enemy’s criminal plans to occupy Gaza will backfire upon their political and military leadership. The Zionist army will pay with the blood of its soldiers, and new opportunities to capture additional prisoners will emerge by God’s will.” 

“Our fighters remain on high alert with elevated morale, ready to demonstrate extraordinary heroism and teach the invaders harsh lessons with divine assistance.” The military spokesman added. 

The IOF has been stepping up bombings in and around Gaza City as the regime’s military prepares for a ground invasion. 

On Saturday evening, Israeli Army Radio stated, “The Israeli military has denied reports claiming that a capture operation took place in the Gaza Strip,” but as one military expert noted, the occupying regime is in damage-control mode.