Earlier on Saturday, reports emerged that Palestinian resistance forces launched a series of coordinated attacks on Israeli units across Gaza, causing significant casualties and disrupted the operation.
The most intense battle erupted in the Zeitoun district of North Gaza, where fighters from the Alcasam Brigade ambushed the 933rd (Nakhar) brigade of Israel. Initial reports show that at least one soldier has been killed, 11 people have been injured and four others have been missing.
Israeli forces reportedly invoked Hannibal directives to prevent personnel capture and deploy helicopters under severe fires to evacuate the injured.
The simultaneous attack targeted the 162nd Division in eastern Hamad near Khan Yunis, as well as the 84th (Gibati) and the 401st Armored Brigade in Jabaria. The clashes and mortar fire continued into the night as Alcasam reinforcements moved to Zeitoun.
The Hebrew media identified the missing soldiers, noting that military censorship was imposed on the details of the case. Alkasam later released an image that appeared to show Israeli soldiers captioned in Arabic and Hebrew being dragged.
Since Tel Aviv launched its attack on Gaza in October 2023, at least 455 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza, highlighting the sustained and organized resistance facing Israeli forces on the besieged territory.