Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
22 January 2024 | 08:30 a.m. SAST
2-min read

“Israel’s” military campaign fails to achieve its supposed goals; Hamas’ resilience in the face of Israel’s onslaught on Gaza; Hamas releases document about October 7th; and exorbitant fees being charged to Palestinians trying to cross at the Rafah border.

There is growing consensus that Israel’s military campaign has not achieved its stated goals, as acknowledged by various sources, including Palestinian resistance sources, Israeli media, politicians, security figures, and American intelligence assessments.

The supposed goal was to eliminate Hamas, and yet the resistance group remains capable of fighting on the ground and launching rockets.

“Hamas is still capable of fighting Israeli troops and launching rockets into Israeli-controlled areas,” Moulana Ebrahim Moosa said on the Palestine Report aired earlier today on Radio Islam International.

Despite Israeli claims of victory in certain areas, reports suggest that Hamas remains resilient. The organisation’s goal, according to a senior Israeli military official, is not merely survival but a strategic victory. The loss of fighters has not halted the progress of Hamas battalions, showcasing the group’s determination.

Moulana Moosa reports that the Israeli military high command is publicly raising doubts about the feasibility of objectives in Gaza. The slow pace of operations and the dual objectives of freeing hostages and destroying Hamas are deemed mutually incompatible. Some Israeli commanders express frustration over the government’s strategy.

Israeli acknowledgment of Hamas’s more sophisticated infrastructure challenges previous intelligence assessments. The length of tunnels, a key aspect of Hamas operations, is reportedly greater than initially estimated.

In response to the evolving situation, the Biden administration has reportedly lowered expectations for the war and urged Israel to change tactics, focusing on targeted operations against Hamas leaders.

“Gadi Eisenkot, a member of the Israeli war cabinet, says that whoever speaks of absolute defeat of Hamas is not speaking the truth,” Moulana Moosa said.

There are indications that the Israeli army is considering prioritising the release of captives over the broader goal of dismantling the Palestinian resistance. This potential shift marks a significant change in strategy.

The United States, Egypt, and Qatar are reportedly pushing for a comprehensive plan to end the war, secure the release of hostages, and potentially pave the way for normalisation with Israel, contingent on the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Hamas has published a report detailing the events of October 7th, placing the battle within historical context and asserting its right to defend Palestinian people and their lands. The document asserts that Hamas did not intentionally target Israeli civilians and calls for an independent inquiry.

“Avoiding harm to civilians, especially children, women and the elderly is a religious and moral commitment by the Qassam fighters. If any civilians were targeted, it happened accidentally and in the course of confrontations with the occupation forces and due to the rapid collapse of the Israelis security and military system…” Moulana Moosa quotes from the document.

Moulana Moosa reports that the document published by Hamas also includes widley publicised accounts of the fact that Israeli military are responsible for killing and injuring Israeli civilians on October 7^th.

Reports indicate that Palestinians seeking to leave Gaza face exorbitant bribes, reaching up to R190 000 per family member. The involvement of military figures linked to the Egyptian army in collecting these fees has sparked controversy, with Egypt defending its actions as in accordance with border crossing regulations.

May Allah Ta’ala ease their plight and the plight of all those suffering.

Listen to the Palestine Report on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat.