The Zionist 9/11 Moment

On the morning of Saturday, the 7th of October, Palestinian resistance groups launched a large-scale invasion from the Gaza strip into the Zionist entity. Hamas called it Operation al-Aqsa Flood and shocked the Zionist authorities with its ground, air and sea attack. The resistance groups secured strategic surprise, reached nearby communities and military installations, over 150 Zionist hostages have been taken which has undermined the ‘Israeli’ intelligence invincibility and military superiority. The Zionist authorities have created public opinion for an invasion of Gaza and with the support of the West they gather their troops for an imminent ground invasion of the Gaza Strip.

Whilst much of the details are still emerging what we do know is Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) launched 3,000 rockets from the Gaza Strip, using this as cover, infiltrated ‘Israel’ using trucks, pickup trucks, motorcycles, bulldozers, speedboats and paragliders. The assault achieved surprise as Gaza based groups usually resort to firing rockets into ‘Israel’, but on this occasion using several points of attack they managed to reach ‘Israeli’ towns and took a number of hostages, including soldiers. The assault saw the overrunning of military outposts, the seizing of weapons and equipment as well as the establishment of logistical lines from within ‘Israeli’ territory.

The resistance groups that participated in the assault used the element of surprise and were able to create a number of temporary advantages in numbers and firepower. They meticulously planned their operations and exploited a range of gaps in ‘Israel’s’ fortifications, operating procedures, and tactics. They employed tricks, tactics and strategy that they most likely had to devise and prepare, in many cases, over years.

‘Israel’s chief military spokesperson said the Israel Defense Forces has called up a record 300,000 reservists, including key units needed for a ground invasion. These actions have set the stage for an ‘Israeli’ ground invasion of the Gaza Strip in retaliation for the attack on the 7th of October. In preparation for the ground assault ‘Israeli’ authorities ordered the “complete siege” of the Gaza Strip to cut off supplies of electricity, food, fuel, water and other goods and services to its approximately 2.3 million inhabitants.

But the ‘Israeli’ invasion of the Gaza Strip, despite its well-trained and equipped soldiers, will be extremely challenging and will likely lead to unintended consequences.

The Gaza Strip has a population over 2 million people who are extremely densely populated in 140 square miles. Hamas and the other resistance groups have constructed a vast series of hideouts, tunnels and traps from which to hide and attack ‘Israeli’ soldiers. Any ‘Israeli’ invasion of the Strip will have to take into account the ‘Israeli’ hostages Hamas holds. This is a unique reality for ‘Israel’ who has never had to face such circumstances.

The urban terrain will reduce the impact of ‘Israel’s fire power. Urban terrain favours the defenders who know it better. ‘Israeli’ soldiers, especially younger reservists who have no experience fighting in urban warfare in the Strip, will lead to collateral damage which will have major implications for public opinion in ‘Israel’.

‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised that ‘Israel’s reaction will “...change the Middle East...” and that “...what Hamas is going to experience will be difficult and terrible,” suggesting that he intends to take back control of the Gaza Strip. But if this is even achieved it will lead to major challenges for the Jewish entity.

‘Israeli’ officials have called the 7th of October attack as its 9/11 moment and already the 9/11 discourse is making the headlines. America’s solution to 9/11 was the war on terror and two decades on, terrorism is far worse, America’s occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan exhausted US resources and led to its inevitable and humiliating withdrawals. The Zionists, much like the Americans may dig an even deeper hole for themselves die to their arrogance.

Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by
Adnan Khan