Watan-A lengthy report on the “Al Jazeera Net” website sheds light on a statement made in one of the speeches by the military spokesperson of the Qassam Brigades, Abu Ubaida. The statement is “Duck Hunting,” and it summarizes the general strategy of the resistance, which is based on resilience in the field, draining the Israeli army, inflicting significant losses in equipment and personnel, exposing its brutal practices, and psychologically and politically pressuring the Israeli society through the issue of prisoners and casualties.
The report also highlights the openness, on the other hand, to any ceasefire or cessation of hostilities, as well as the release of prisoners and detainees under appropriate conditions.
Abu Ubaida recently stated that the Qassam fighters hunt down the occupation soldiers like ducks in a field. He emphasized that the officially announced numbers of casualties and injuries by the occupation army are entirely untrue. He added that the observations and accounts of their fighters killing and confronting enemy infantry document multiples of the announced enemy casualties.
Within the context of psychological warfare, Abu Ubaida referred to “duck hunting” as a symbol of the significant drain on Israel militarily, economically, and politically, despite the term strongly denoting the large number of Israeli soldiers killed.
As it failed to achieve its objectives on the ground in response to the strategic defeat it suffered since the “Al-Aqsa Flood” day, Israel continues to stumble politically and militarily in the Gaza Strip, spanning from its southern to northern regions, after about two and a half months. It continues to incur significant losses, while the repercussions of its “strategic defeat” unfold in the city of Gaza and its residents. More than 19,000 civilians have been killed due to unprecedented brutality. However, wars, according to military concepts, are not only decided by killing and destruction.
The report, authored by the political analyst “Zuhair Hamdani,” pointed out that the resistance understands that Israel is not prepared for prolonged wars, substantial losses, and continuous general mobilization. Furthermore, Israel is also not ready for street wars and direct confrontations.
It seems like the text you provided is incomplete. Could you please provide the full text or clarify your request so that I can assist you more effectively?
The Power in Exchange for Defeat
The report conveys statements made by John Alterman, the director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, in an article for “The Nation” magazine. Alterman suggests that Hamas aims to leverage Israel’s overwhelming power to defeat Israel itself. Israel’s strength enables it to kill Palestinian civilians, destroy Palestinian infrastructure, and defy international calls for restraint. All of these actions, according to Alterman, contribute to Hamas’s long-term objectives.
According to data published by the Israeli army on its website until Thursday, December 15th, the number of its military casualties reached 445, including 119 officers of various ranks (including 5 colonels, 8 majors, and 43 captains). Additionally, 60 of the casualties belonged to elite units.
The Real Losses
The resistance, as conveyed by the official spokesperson for the Qassam Brigades, asserts that the number of casualties is significantly higher than what the Israeli occupation army declares. This is supported by footage from the war and the information disseminated by the Israeli media, as well as the observed number of casualties and injuries in hospitals. According to “Haaretz” newspaper, the number of injured in Israeli hospitals reached 4,591 as of December 12th.
Al Jazeera Net’s report also highlighted statements from military experts suggesting that the actual losses for the Israeli army could be up to ten times the officially announced numbers, based on field monitoring of the war’s developments and daily events.
Estimates indicate that the Israeli army has lost hundreds of various types of vehicles, including more than 90 Merkava tanks, considered a pride of the Israeli military industry. This represents approximately 20% of Israel’s arsenal of these tanks. Tel Aviv has effectively halted their sale to some countries, including Cyprus, according to the “Avia Pro” website.
The field operations reveal that the streets, buildings, and debris in Gaza have become a complex maze and deadly traps for the Israeli army. Meanwhile, the resistance applies its combat tactics promised by the Israeli occupation army. It utilizes its arsenal of weapons, knowledge of the terrain, and a complex network of tunnels to daily drain Israel, while Israeli tension and confusion increase. Along with it, the number of casualties rises, including friendly fire incidents, and prisoners.
The disappointment of the “strategic response” is evident
In contrast, the resistance and Hamas movement maintain their military and organizational structure intact. Their ability to coordinate, connect, control, employ surprise tactics, and exhibit combat effectiveness remains consistent in terms of pace and diversification in military operations. They retain their missile strength and continue to shell Israeli territory, even from areas that Israel claims to have control over.
Furthermore, the resistance still holds prisoners, especially military personnel and officers, using them as a fundamental card to exert military, political, and psychological pressure on the Israeli government and society.
All the data indicates the disappointment in the Israeli “strategic response,” as their army has not achieved any decisive military or political objectives. The incursion of occupying forces into Gaza was expected due to the imbalance of power, and their brutal shelling of facilities was anticipated as they disregarded international humanitarian laws.
Their actions resulted only in monstrous destruction, the commission of crimes, and the killing of thousands of civilians, the majority of whom are children and women. Finding a solution to halt the bloodshed has become more urgent.