الناطق باسم كتائب القسام 2012

Summary

In this episode of *Hadith Al-Youm*, Abu Ubaida, spokesperson for the Al-Qassam Brigades, discusses the military strategies employed by Palestinian factions in the recent Gaza conflict. He highlights the lessons learned from previous wars, the adaptation of tactics, and the importance of local missile production. Despite facing overwhelming Israeli technological superiority, Abu Ubaida explains how the resistance utilized innovation, underground warfare, and strategic maneuvers to achieve significant success. He also addresses the psychological warfare, the preparation for potential ground invasions, and the ongoing importance of self-reliance in arms manufacturing for the future of Palestinian resistance.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Palestinian resistance, particularly the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, has learned valuable lessons from previous conflicts, particularly the 2008-2009 Gaza war, improving their tactical and strategic operations.
• 😀 Despite facing overwhelming Israeli military superiority, the Palestinian fighters in Gaza rely on their deep-rooted experience, unique strategies, and adaptations to terrain to effectively resist the occupation.
• 😀 Gaza, despite being a flat coastal area with no mountains, has become a challenging battlefield due to the resistance's innovative use of land, underground tactics, and modified warfare techniques.
• 😀 The resistance in Gaza utilizes a range of defensive strategies and technologies, including locally-made missiles, to create effective countermeasures against Israel's technologically advanced military arsenal, including drones and fighter jets.
• 😀 The success of the Palestinian resistance in maintaining a high rate of rocket fire during the recent conflicts surprised Israel, which failed to destroy the missile infrastructure despite its technological superiority.
• 😀 The Palestinian resistance has used psychological warfare, targeting the morale of Israeli forces by publicizing the failures of Israel’s military objectives and highlighting losses, including casualties among Israeli soldiers.
• 😀 The use of locally-produced missiles, such as the Fajr-75, has been a strategic surprise for Israel, with the resistance managing to manufacture effective weapons that could reach major Israeli cities like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
• 😀 The Palestinian factions emphasize the importance of preparation and self-reliance in terms of weapon manufacturing, viewing the ability to produce weapons as a critical part of their strategy to confront Israeli occupation.
• 😀 Despite the challenges, the Palestinian resistance maintains its strategic advantage by continuously evolving and adapting to the changing dynamics of warfare, ensuring that they remain capable of surprising their opponents.
• 😀 The Palestinian leadership is well-prepared to deal with Israeli violations of ceasefire agreements, and the resistance has several options and strategies in place to respond effectively to any future escalation by Israel.

Q & A

How did the Al-Qassam Brigades improve their tactics after the 2008-2009 Gaza War?

The Al-Qassam Brigades learned valuable lessons from the 2008-2009 Gaza War, refining their tactical and strategic approaches. They enhanced their operational performance and preparedness, resulting in better coordination, stronger capabilities, and more effective use of firepower in subsequent battles, including the most recent operations.

What challenges did the resistance face due to Gaza's flat and open terrain?

Gaza’s flat, coastal terrain presented a significant challenge for resisting Israeli air superiority. However, the resistance adapted by using innovative tactics, including underground warfare and varied fighting strategies to counteract the overwhelming technological advantage of the Israeli military.

How did the resistance manage to launch rapid and continuous rocket fire despite Israeli technological advantages?

Despite Israel's technological superiority, the Palestinian resistance succeeded in maintaining rapid rocket launches through deep knowledge of the terrain, operational secrecy, and advanced coordination. They also utilized local manufacturing of rockets, which allowed them to maintain a consistent supply despite external threats.

What role did the resistance’s experience in previous confrontations play in the success of their tactics?

The resistance's extensive experience from previous conflicts allowed them to refine their tactics and adapt their strategies. Their accumulated knowledge of the battlefield and their ability to innovate under pressure played a crucial role in achieving successes against Israeli forces.

What was the significance of the resistance's local manufacturing of weapons like the M75 rockets?

The local manufacturing of weapons, such as the M75 rockets, was a key strategic element. It allowed the resistance to bypass the difficulties of importing arms and made them more self-reliant in warfare. The ability to produce rockets with similar ranges to advanced weapons, like the Fajr, was a significant surprise for Israel.

How did the resistance perceive Israel's psychological warfare during the conflict?

The resistance viewed Israel’s threats of a ground invasion as part of a psychological warfare strategy aimed at demoralizing Palestinian fighters. While acknowledging the potential for escalation, the resistance remained confident and prepared, countering these psychological tactics with real military actions, including targeting Israeli positions along Gaza's borders.

What was the impact of Israel's failure to destroy Palestinian rocket capabilities?

Israel's failure to destroy Palestinian rocket capabilities was a significant setback. Despite claiming early successes, the Israeli military was unable to neutralize the majority of Palestinian rockets or their launch platforms. This failure further demonstrated the resilience and effectiveness of the resistance in maintaining their strike capabilities.

How did the resistance prepare for potential ground operations by Israeli forces?

The resistance anticipated Israeli ground operations and prepared by strengthening their defensive positions and conducting counterattacks. They also used psychological tactics to weaken Israeli morale, including striking military positions and broadcasting footage of their successful operations, which had a demoralizing effect on Israeli troops.

What role did international support play in the Palestinian resistance’s ability to continue the fight?

International support, particularly in terms of weapons and resources, was crucial for the resistance. They expressed that it was the responsibility of the Arab and Islamic world, as well as global freedom fighters, to assist in arming the Palestinians to help them resist Israeli occupation and aggression.

What did the resistance leadership believe was necessary for maintaining momentum during the ceasefire period?

The resistance leadership emphasized vigilance during the ceasefire period, closely monitoring Israeli violations. They also made it clear that the resistance had several strategic options and would respond decisively if Israel continued to breach the terms of the ceasefire. The leadership assured that the resistance would not be passive and would always act in the best interest of the Palestinian people.