Abu Obeida the military spokesperson of Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades issued another warning to the Israeli occupation on Thursday, promising a significant, "painful and harsh" retaliation as payback for the crimes committed against the Palestinian people and its dessicration of al-Aqsa Mosque.

The spokesperson pointed to the continuous crimes committed by "Israel" against Palestinians including the targeting of children and civilians, as well as its targeting of residential areas in Gaza.

Abu Obeida called on all individuals to join in on Operation Al-Aqsa Flood to expand the scope of confrontation against the Israeli occupation.

He emphasized that the Resistance is in good shape and that its leadership knows how and when to strike the enemy.

Abu Obeida called on the Ummah to defend al-Aqsa Mosque against its desecration, adding that the Israeli occupation military is currently in its worst-ever state.

He called on the masses, outside of Palestine, to march together toward Palestinian borders and confront the occupation's expansionist project.

In his address, Abu Obeida reaffirmed that the Palestinian Resistance in Gaza is in excellent condition and is prepared for a long battle against the occupier.

كلمة صوتية للناطق العسكري باسم كتائب القسام أبو عبيدة في اليوم الثالث عشر من معركة #طوفان_الأقصى
باقي الخطاب pic.twitter.com/O4hIkDfmNt

— محبين أبو عبيدة 🇵🇸 (@llill2e) October 19, 2023

Israeli war cabinet greenlights invasion 

Earlier on Thursday, Security Minister Yoav Gallant told soldiers positioned outside the Gaza Strip that a ground invasion would start soon.

"You see Gaza now from a distance, you will soon see it from inside. The command will come," the minister said as quoted by The Times of Israel.

Gallant also admitted his responsibility for the demise of the Israeli occupation forces on October 7 which saw hundreds of soldiers including commanders killed and taken captive by Palestinian Resistance fighters.

Netanyahu also paid a visit on Thursday to occupation soldiers conscripted in the infamous Golani Brigade near the Gaza Strip.

In an address to the occupation troops, Netanyahu claimed, "We are going to win with all our strength."

Hamas military wing, Martyr Izz El-Din Al-Qassam Brigades, published a video titled: "A message to the [Israeli] ground forces: This is what awaits you when you enter Gaza."#Gaza #GazaUnderAttack pic.twitter.com/ljyh10FjyN

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 14, 2023

The Israeli military and political command has been mulling a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip for a week. Bad weather has been used as an excuse for why aggression has not yet been launched.

On October 7 the Israeli occupation's Gaza division got a taste of the Palestinian Resistance's capabilities as they suffered great losses in the early hours of the morning. Al-Qassam Brigades led the attack on numerous military sites in Gaza's Envelope taking down the division's communications center, naval bases, and sites from which armored reinforcements are sent into sites in close proximity to the Gaza Strip.

The surprise attack dealt heavy casualties to the IOF including hundreds of killed soldiers and captured commanders. In a historical first the Resistance baited the Israeli occupation and ensued on an offensive that shocked allies and enemies.

Officials including Netanyahu have asserted that in response to the defeat they suffered on October 7, "Israel's" military response will involve the uprooting of Hamas from Gaza.

However, such a task will prove extremely difficult or even impossible for occupation forces that have not experienced combat within Gaza's defensive structures and will likely include well-planned ambushes, Improvised Explosive Devices, and tunnels to assist the movement of forces behind enemy lines.

If a ground invasion were to happen in the upcoming days, the Israeli occupation forces would be pushed into a suburban terrain that would favor the defenders. Hopes are high among leaders of the Palestinian Resistance, as the armed wings of various Resistance factions have released statements and footage promising the occupation that it would experience the pits of hell in Gaza.

Read more: Al-Qassam issues a warning to 'Israel' amid ground invasion talks