Resistance Operation Causes Dozens of Israeli Casualties in Khan Yunis

Featured image: Al-Qassam Brigades combatants in Gaza. Source: The Palestine Chronicle.

Palestinian Resistance combatants assaulted a new Israeli military position on southeast of Khan Yunis on the morning of August 20, reports The Palestine Chronicle. The website reports that “Al-Qassam fighters breached the site and attacked several Merkava 4 guard tanks using a variety of explosive devices, including Shawaz bombs and Yassin 105 shells. They also targeted homes where Israeli soldiers were fortified with anti-fortification shells, small arms, and grenades.”

Several Israeli soldiers were eliminated. There are also Merkava tank commanders among the casualties. Many vehicles were also destroyed, among them several tanks. The attack lasted for several hours and Israeli helicopters evacuating wounded were seen:

This was the military position of the Kfir Brigade. Warplanes had to be used to try to stop the Palestinian assault. The Israeli sources report on this action as an “exceptional incident”.

This attack occurred on Wednesday, a day later than Defense Minister Israel Katz’s approval of the ‘Gideon II’ plan. The plan aims the takeover and occupation of the largest city in northern Gaza, and will require the Israeli military to bring in 60,000 more reserve troops and extend the service of another 20,000, in addition to those already called up. Israeli forces have been expanding military operations around Gaza City. The population of the city — which was home to about 450,000 people before the current conflict — has swelled to 1.2 million people, according to Palestinian authorities.

According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), Gaza City and surrounding areas are officially suffering from famine and several people have died of starvation and hunger already.