IOF grappling with psychological challenges, diminished morale in Gaza

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
8 Mar 2024 00:55
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An expert on Palestinian Resistance affairs says the psychological warfare launched by the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon has been highly effective on the Lebanon front.

Hani al-Dali, an expert on Palestinian Resistance affairs, speaking to Al Mayadeen on March 7, 2024 (Al Mayadeen)

The Israeli occupation's genocidal war against the Gaza Strip has entered its 153rd day, yet the Palestinian Resistance continues to maintain a level of field combat despite challenging humanitarian conditions.

It confronts Israeli forces across all Gaza axes, anticipating the occupation army's movements in well-prepared ambushes to inflict both material and human losses. Over time, these losses are revealed by Israeli media and other sources, further exposing "Israel" as the occupation government's plot to pursue its policy of concealing losses fails.

In this context, Hani al-Dali, an expert on Palestinian Resistance affairs, affirmed in a statement through Al Mayadeen that the Palestinian Resistance, including al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, is evolving its strategies for conducting ambush operations. Al-Dali pointed out that this evolution continues despite the tools used by the occupation forces, such as trained dogs and highly advanced technological techniques.

Despite "Israel's" intention to downplay the reported death toll of its military personnel since October 7, al-Dali emphasized that the Resistance maintains its command structure on the battlefield, ensuring the effectiveness of its operations. The expert further underscored that this achievement stems from the proficient capabilities of the Resistance, the wisdom of its fighters, and the incorporation of lessons learned from previous engagements, not to mention the mistakes of the Israeli occupation forces.

Al-Dali underscored that these aforementioned elements serve as the pillars of strength for the Palestinian Resistance, enabling it to exert pressure during ceasefire negotiations. Alongside these strengths, the added factor of disarray within the Israeli forces, lacking a defined strategic and military plan, further contributes to the Resistance's advantage.

While discussing the determination of Palestinian freedom fighters, al-Dali affirmed that “there are many fighters in the battlefield who are yet to engage in the battles with the occupation army" and are exerting much effort to be allowed into the actual battleground, "even if just for a few days.”

In contrast, Israeli occupation soldiers in Gaza are grappling with psychological challenges and diminished morale, as elucidated by al-Dali in his analysis of the video wherein soldiers, having been targeted inside their vehicles, portrayed the difficult mental and emotional conditions they face.

Psychological Warfare

According to al-Dali, delving into the nature of the operations conducted from Lebanon against Israeli forces reveals a well-orchestrated psychological warfare by the Resistance using specific tools, showcasing a high degree of professionalism and precision and carrying significant messages. This strategic approach has led to the evacuation of settlements in the northern regions of occupied Palestine, putting considerable strain on the internal Israeli front.

Emphasizing the multifaceted approach of the Resistance on this front, al-Dali highlighted the integration of military, political, and media means with psychological warfare emerging as a pivotal element in this equation. He underscored that "Hezbollah's directed psychological warfare against the Zionist society has profound effects, considering that it places greater trust in the credibility of Hezbollah and its Secretary-General than in the credibility of Netanyahu and Israeli leaders."

'Israel' using manipulation in negotiations to gain time: Hamas

Hussam Badran, a member of the Hamas Political Bureau, on Thursday, announced that the movement's delegation left Cairo to engage in further discussions with the movement's leadership.

Badran mentioned that the reason behind the stalled negotiations is the insistence of the Israeli occupation's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on maintaining his position and his attempt to manipulate the negotiations in order to gain more time.

Addressing Sputnik, Badran explained that Netanyahu has rejected a ceasefire due to disagreements on several points. According to Badran, "There are no positive responses regarding the [Israeli occupation forces'] withdrawal from Gaza, no guarantees for the entry of aid or reconstruction, not to mention the main issue which is related to the return of refugees to their homes, especially in northern Gaza."

Moreover, the Hamas official stressed that "the occupation has been manipulating [negotiations] as if it wants to gain more time" as it refuses to respond to the "just demands of our Palestinian people."

Badran considered that "the American calls for a ceasefire and the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip lack credibility, given that the United States is a partner with Israel in its war on the Palestinian people."

Moreover, the Hamas member of the Political Bureau explained that "the United States provides Israel with all military, financial, political, and diplomatic support. It is the United States that prevents the Security Council from taking any decision calling for a ceasefire or condemning the occupation for its crimes."

The official added that "Israel has thwarted all efforts by mediators to reach an agreement."